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April 14, 2000 INS and Mexico to Test Video Link Demonstration of Technology Highlights San Diego Binational Meeting SAN DIEGO, Calif. The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and the Government of Mexico plan to conduct a pilot program testing videoconferencing technology to link Mexican consulates and INS detention facilities at key locations. The technology was demonstrated today in conjunction with a binational meeting in San Diego involving high-level officials from both countries. Participants in the daylong session included INS Executive Associate Commissioner for Field Operations, Michael Pearson; Mexicos Undersecretary for North America and Europe, Juan Rebolledo; and Mexicos Ambassador to the United States, Jesús Reyes-Heroles. The videoconferencing system makes it possible for officials at participating Mexican consulates to conduct remote video interviews with Mexican nationals being held at INS detention facilities. The system is expected to aid INS by enabling the agency to obtain travel documents for detained Mexican nationals in a more timely manner, speeding the repatriation process. San Diego is one of several Mexican consulates where the videoconferencing system is being tested. During the initial phase of the pilot program, the system will link the consulate to a number of sites where INS houses detainees in the San Diego area, including the Descanso Detention facility and the Barrett Honor Camp. The videoconferencing pilot is just one of a number of innovations to come about as a result of the expanded cooperation between the two nations. Integral to that ongoing cooperation was the establishment four years ago of the Interior Consultation Mechanisms (ICM). Todays meeting in San Diego marked the end of this years round of ICMs. The consultations are credited with furthering the progress of several important initiatives, including a binational border safety campaign, dedicated commuter lanes at major land border ports along the southern border, and a joint commitment to combat migrant smuggling. One of the most ambitious binational initiatives has been a joint border safety campaign. For the last two years, the two nations have collaborated on an aggressive strategy designed to make the border safer for migrants, officers and border residents. The strategy includes media outreach in both countries, expanded use of warning signs, and the sharing of information. One of the most vivid example of that cooperation came in March when officers from the Border Patrol and Mexicos Grupo Beta worked together to rescue an injured Mexican migrant who was stranded in the rugged terrain near Tecate Peak. The increased binational cooperation has also led to the establishment of a Mexican consular office at the San Ysidro Port of Entry. That office, the first of its kind in the nation, handles inquiries on a wide variety of issues, ranging from unaccompanied juveniles to complaints about INS personnel. Another benefit of the binational cooperation has been the expanded use of dedicated commuter lanes (DCL) along the southern border. San Diego, which boasted the southern borders first DCL at Otay Mesa, will soon have a DCL at the San Ysidro border crossing. That lane is expected to be in operation by this summer. INS |
Last Modified 02/20/2003