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McCaul to Mexico: "Secure Your Border!"

January 22, 2008

(Washington, D.C.) - Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) delivered the clear message to the President of Mexico that his country's Northern border with the US must be secured.

During the past two days Congressman McCaul, along with other Members of the House Committee on Homeland Security, participated in a bi-partisan, fact-finding mission to Mexico and met with high ranking officials, including President Felipe Calderon. McCaul was encouraged to hear directly from President Calderon that he had sent 30,000 troops to the US-Mexico border to help combat the increasingly powerful drug cartels. McCaul stated, "We must eradicate the root cause of the problem and that is the drug cartels. They are in control of numerous corridors to the US through which they transport not only drugs and illegal immigrants, but also potential terrorist seeking to harm the US."

"I went to Mexico with one goal in mind: To tell President Calderon that the days of an uncontrolled, unsecured Mexican border must end," further stated Congressman Michael McCaul. He went on to say, "I presented him with a copy of my report, "A Line in the Sand" which clearly shows the deadly consequences of Mexican drug cartels controlling much of Northern Mexico and would-be terrorists coming across the border into America. It was a good meeting, and I am confident he understands the need for better coordination between our respective militaries, intelligence services and law enforcement agencies to secure the US-Mexico border.

Along with President Calderon, McCaul met with Mexico’s Attorney General and Director of Homeland Security and took the opportunity to discuss ways Mexico could work with the United States to gain operational control of both sides of the border.

In Matamoras, the Mexican border city which is the base of operations for the powerful "Gulf Cartel" and the location of numerous gun battles and assassinations related to drug cartel turf wars, McCaul stated, "There are ways our nations can cooperate and gain operational control of both sides of the border, and if they want help in training their troops to do so, I think the U.S. can help them. However, if Mexico takes any American assistance, it better be prepared to show us they’re making real progress," stated McCaul.

Congressman McCaul made it clear that he will personally be checking back with those he met with to see the improvements Mexico is making towards gaining operational control of its borders.