DHS Secretary Noem and Ecuador Sign Anti-Crime Pact to Combat Illegal Migration and Transnational Crime

Bilateral Anti-Crime Agreement

• 🤝 DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced a new anti-crime agreement signed with Ecuador to strengthen partnerships in combating transnational criminal organizations.
• 🤝 The agreement aims to enhance information sharing and cooperation between U.S. Homeland Security and Ecuadorian law enforcement.

Tackling Illegal Migration

• 📈 Ecuadorian citizens encountered at the U.S. southern border dropped significantly from over 272,000 in 2024 to 3,428 under the current administration, highlighting the effectiveness of bilateral efforts.
• ⚖️ The partnership emphasizes upholding the rule of law and facilitating legal migration, ensuring individuals entering countries do so the right way.

Combating Transnational Criminal Organizations

• 🔗 The agreement focuses on disrupting cartel organizations, foreign terrorist organizations, and gangs that cause violence and harm.
• 👤 Biometric information sharing on criminals, terrorists, and gang members is a key component to bring individuals to justice.
• ✈️ Enhanced extradition efforts will facilitate the return of criminals between both countries.

Information Sharing and Targeting

• 🎯 A new arrangement will place an Ecuadorian police liaison at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's National Targeting Center.
• 🗺️ This collaboration aims to improve the identification, tracking, and stopping of threats that affect both nations, recognizing information as a key weapon.

Broader Security Initiatives

• 🇨🇳 Imposing visa requirements on Chinese nationals has led to a 70% drop in encounters with them at the U.S. southern border, demonstrating the impact of targeted actions.
• 🌍 Ecuador is also working to impose similar restrictions on 45 other countries, including high-risk nations like Haiti and Cuba.
• 💪 The partnership signifies a commitment to winning the fight against violent criminals, foreign terrorist organizations, and gangs.