Mexico’s president-elect, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, may be implementing his own immigration policies, including Mexico’s own border force.
Lopez Obrador’s chief of public security, Alfonso Durazo, said the president-elect is making plans for his own border patrol force to confront undocumented immigrants from Central America, Bloomberg reported this week.
“We’re going to create a border police force that will be highly specialized,” Durazo said. “They need to apply the law.”
He said the border patrol force would also be stationed on Mexico’s northern border but gave no additional details.
Mexico’s president-elect is planning his own border force to stop undocumented immigrants from Central America https://t.co/G5FFKQawEV pic.twitter.com/cDdcjOHREY
— Bloomberg Politics (@bpolitics) July 9, 2018
The plans are said to be a part of regional efforts to reduce the flow of drugs and guns, as well as violence and poverty.
Durazo said that immigration efforts will be humane and work toward improving quality of life for Central American citizens as a means of halting their crossing into Mexico. He said that previous efforts have failed due to a lack of humane policies.
“The legitimate use of force by the state is a resource,” he said. “But it shouldn’t be the first resource, it should be the last one.”
Lopez Obrador’s administration is expected to prioritize their efforts on reducing violence. One of their plans is to raise the salary and benefits of law enforcement officials, and hire more personnel to fight corruption that facilitates violent crime.
Last week, Lopez Obrador won the election on his message of addressing the country’s significant crime, corruption and poverty. He also criticized President Trump, and was supported for his promise to protect Mexicans affected by Trump’s immigration policies.
After the announcement of his victory, Lopez Obrador spoke before the press.
“I confess that I have a legitimate ambition: I want to go down in history as a good president of Mexico,” he said, according to CBS News. “I desire with all my soul to raise the greatness of our country on high.”
He also expressed a desire to have “friendship and respect” with the United States.
President Trump tweeted his congratulations to Lopez Obrador after his win.
Congratulations to Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on becoming the next President of Mexico. I look very much forward to working with him. There is much to be done that will benefit both the United States and Mexico!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 2, 2018
The two reportedly spoke on the phone last week.
Lopez Obrador confirmed the call with President Trump, adding: “I proposed exploring a comprehensive agreement on development projects which will create jobs in Mexico, and with it, reduce migration and improve security.”
Lopez Obrador, who will take office on Dec. 1, is scheduled to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo this week. The two are expected to discuss immigration, among other issues.
