PRESS RELEASE
March 31, 2009
Contact: DHS Press Office, 202-282-8010
WASHINGTON—U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano plans to travel to the Southwest border and Mexico April 1-3 to meet with Mexican leaders to work together on ways to combat drug violence and tour U.S. ports of entry to observe border protection operations at the ground level. The trip will highlight Secretary Napolitano’s recent announcements that DHS will shift resources to the U.S.-Mexico border to better support ongoing efforts to quell the southbound gun and money trafficking that fuels cartel violence.
Secretary Napolitano’s tour will begin Wednesday in San Diego, with a tour of border operations at the Otay Mesa port of entry, situated across the border from Tijuana. She will then spend Thursday in Cuernavaca, Mexico, where she will join U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to attend the Arms Trafficking Prosecution and Enforcement Strategy Executive Session and meet with Mexican leadership.
Following the conference, Secretary Napolitano will make her way to Mexico City on Thursday evening, to continue meetings with Mexican officials, including President Felipe Calderón. Her final stop will be Friday afternoon in Laredo, Texas she will meet with U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents at the Laredo Port of Entry.
Details of Secretary Napolitano’s Visit to California, Mexico and Texas
Wednesday, April 1
3:30 PM PDT Press Conference at Otay Mesa Port of Entry
9777 Via De La Amistad
San Diego, California
OPEN PRESS*
* Media wishing to attend must provide press credentials for entry. The exit from Highway 905 heading south is Siempre Viva Road (last exit before Mexico).
Thursday, April 2
3:00 PM CDT Press Conference with Invited Moderators
Arms Trafficking Prosecution and Enforcement Strategy Executive Session
Camino Real Sumiya
Int. de Fracc. Sumiya s/n
Jiutepec, Morelos Apdo Postal 138
Cuernavaca, Mexico
OPEN PRESS
Friday, April 3
4:00 PM CDT Press Conference at Laredo Port of Entry
World Trade Bridge
Laredo, Texas
OPEN PRESS
