The U.S. Resumes Returning Mexican Nationals to the Interior of Mexico
February 14, 2020
CBP reported that the number of individuals returned deep into the interior of Mexico under the Interior Repatriation Initiative (IRI) has surpassed 1,000 Mexicans.
January 17, 2020
CBP and ICE continued the Interior Repatriation Initiative with the first flight in 2020 carrying 124 Mexican nationals to Guadalajara from Tucson. ICE will continue operating these flights as needed, with several more scheduled in January and February.
December 19, 2019
ICE and the Mexican Ministry of the Interior announced the continuation of the Interior Repatriation Initiative on December 19, 2019. The first 2019 repatriation flight of approximately 150 Mexican nationals departed Tucson International Airport on December 19. ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations will provide air transportation to Guadalajara International Airport in Guadalajara, Mexico. The government of Mexico will provide additional transportation to the cities of origin.
The IRI is a join agreement between the governments of the United States and Mexico that those repatriated to Mexico are returned into the interior of Mexico. IRI began as a pilot program in 2012, and was signed as a permanent initiative on April 18, 2013.
Related Resources
- Featured Issue: Border Processing and Asylum
- DHS Report on Border Security Metrics – February 26, 2019
- U.S. and Mexico Resume Interior Repatriation Initiative – July 11, 2013
- United States & Mexico Begin “Interior Repatriation Initiative” – October 2, 2012