Smart Border: 22 point agreement (Text Only)

Smart Border: 22 point agreement

U.S. - Mexico Border Partnership Action Plan

Secure Infrastructure

Long Term Planning
Develop and implement a long-term strategic plan that ensures a coordinated physical and technological infrastructure that keeps pace with growing cross-border traffic.

Relief of Bottlenecks
Develop a prioritized list of infrastructure projects and take immediate action to relieve bottlenecks.

Infrastructure Protection
Conduct vulnerability assessments of trans-border infrastructure and communications and transportation networks to identify and take required protective measures.

Harmonize Port of Entry Operations
Synchronize hours of operation, infrastructure improvements, and traffic flow management at adjoining ports of entry on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.

Demonstration Projects
Establish prototype smart port of entry operations.
Cross-Border Cooperation
Revitalize existing bilateral coordination mechanisms at the local, state, and federal levels with a specific focus on operations at border crossing points.

Financing projects at the border
Explore joint financing mechanism to meet the main development and infrastructure needs.

Secure Flow of People

Pre-Cleared Travelers
Expand the use of the Secure Electronic Network for Traveler’s Rapid Inspection (SENTRI) dedicated commuter lanes at high-volume ports of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Advanced Passenger Information
Establish a joint advance passenger information exchange mechanism for flights between Mexico and U.S. and other relevant flights.

NAFTA Travel
Explore methods to facilitate the movement of NAFTA travellers, including dedicated lanes at high-volume airports

Safe borders and deterrence of alien smuggling
Reaffirm mutual commitment to the Border Safety Initiative and action plan for cooperation on border safety, established in June 2001. Enhance authorities and specialized institutions to assist, save and advise migrants, as well as those specialized on curbing the smuggling of people. Expand Alien Smuggling and Trafficking Task Force. Establish a law enforcement liaison framework to enhance cooperation between U.S. and Mexican federal agencies along the U.S. – Mexico border.

Visa Policy Consultations
Continue frequent consultations on visa policies and visa screening procedures. Share information from respective consular databases.

Joint Training
Conduct joint training in the areas of investigation and document analysis to enhance abilities to detect fraudulent documents and break up alien smuggling rings.

Compatible Databases
Develop systems for exchanging information and sharing intelligence.

Screening of Third-Country Nationals
Enhance cooperative efforts to detect, screen, and take appropriate measures to deal with potentially dangerous third-country nationals, taking into consideration the threats they may represent to security.

Secure Flow of Goods

Public/Private-Sector Cooperation
Expand partnerships with private sector trade groups and importers/exporters to increase security and compliance of commercial shipments, while expediting clearance processes.

Electronic Exchange of Information
Continue to develop and implement joint mechanisms for the rapid exchange of customs data.

Secure In-Transit Shipments
Continue to develop a joint in-transit shipment tracking mechanism and implement the Container Security Initiative

Technology Sharing
Develop a technology sharing program to allow deployment of high technology monitoring devices such as electronic seals and license plate readers.

Secure Railways
Continue to develop a joint rail imaging initiative at all rail crossing locations on the U.S.-Mexico border.

Combating Fraud
Expand the ongoing Bilateral Customs Fraud Task Force initiative to further joint investigative activities.

Contraband Interdiction
Continue joint efforts to combat contraband, including illegal drugs, drug proceeds, firearms, and other dangerous materials, and to prevent money laundering.