Effort addresses Central American irregular migration

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials said the agency recently initiated an effort designed to increase collaboration between America and Honduras regarding combating irregular migration through Central America.

Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Kevin K. McAleenan has signed two arrangements to expand bilateral initiatives on key issues.

“DHS will continue to confront irregular migration with its international partners to improve safety and prosperity in the Central America region, mitigating the push and pull factors that contribute to the security and humanitarian crisis on our Southwest border,” McAleenan said regarding the signings that occurred at the DHS headquarters in Washington.

The first arrangement enhances cooperation to strengthen immigration enforcement to further impede irregular migration flows from and through Central America. The second arrangement signed expands information sharing by supporting Honduran coordination of the use and implementation of data sharing programs supporting law enforcement and public safety.

“With Honduras’ commitment to protecting their workers from criminal actors who charge excessive fees and facilitate human trafficking, U.S. employers relying on the H-2 programs can feel confident the workers they recruit from Honduras are coming to the U.S. to work a good job and return to Honduras to build their life and family,” said John P. Pallasch, the Department of Labor’s assistant secretary for Employment and Training. “Through this agreement, the Honduran government will provide for temporary workers seeking employment in the United States and will coordinate with U.S. employers in the recruitment process.”