Mexico, U.S. discuss migration, border security issues

Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray met with U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly in Washington D.C. on Thursday to discuss “key” bilateral topics. (Photo by World Economic Forum from Cologny, Switzerland [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)],)

In a statement, the Mexican Foreign Ministry said that the conversation focused on migration and border security to “continue the new respectful dialogue about the U.S. government’s new migratory policies, and their effects on the Mexican community in that country.”

Videgaray highlighted the importance of the state of law and of “due process being applied in these cases.” He also emphasized Mexico’s refusal to receive repatriated (citizens) of other countries.

According to the Ministry, the foreign minister also highlighted that the Mexico-U.S. border is an area of shared wealth and development, while pointing out the opportunities to carry out joint infrastructure projects.

Finally, both officials agreed to continue with a “fluid and constructive exchange of proposals to progress in areas of shared interest.”

The bilateral Mexico-U.S. relationship has cooled since President Donald Trump took office, vowing to build a concrete wall along the border starting in April, while also renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) agreement both countries have with Canada.