For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010
WASHINGTON—Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano today met with Honduran Secretary of Security Oscar Alvarez to discuss joint U.S.-Honduras security strategies and to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the bilateral use of traveler information to strengthen international air transportation security.
“The United States and Honduras have a shared interest in protecting the security of the region and securing air travel between our nations, while facilitating legitimate travel and trade,” said Secretary Napolitano. “This agreement affirms both nations’ commitment to increasing information sharing capabilities and strengthening aviation security standards.”
The Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS) is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection program designed to enhance border security through the collection and review of passenger information.
The APIS MOU strengthens the ongoing partnership between the Department of Homeland Security and its Honduran counterparts. DHS currently works with the Honduran government through a transnational criminal investigative unit to fight drug trafficking, transnational gangs, organized crime, and related violence in effort to enhance border security, operated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
In July, Secretary Napolitano hosted a multilateral meeting in Washington where she and Honduran Security Secretary Alvarez joined participating officials from various Central American countries and Mexico to sign a regional letter of intent, highlighting enhanced support of regional security cooperation and increased information sharing.
For more information, visit www.dhs.gov.
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