21st Century Border Initiative

In April of 2010 the governments of Mexico and the United States issued a Declaration of the 21st Century Border. This declaration stated an understanding that: ‘’a joint and collaborative administration of their common border is critical to transforming management of the border to enhance security and efficiency.’’

The 21st Century Border Initiative of NDN/NPI has been designed to support, promote and develop this important vision for how our two countries manage our common border region. We have done this by facilitating events, papers, essays and creating a network of like minded individuals both inside and outside the beltway.

It is the core belief of this initiative that the bi-lateral relationship between the United States and Mexico is one of the United State’s most important relationships in the world. By the end of this year Mexico is set to be the United State’s second largest trading partner with more than a billion dollars in goods a day moving between our countries. The US domestic population is now 10 percent of Mexican descent, making our cultural, economic and familial ties extensive and deepening.

Through a new and better strategy, more resources and greater cooperation with our Mexican partners, the border region is much safer today. Crime is down, illegal migration has slowed, seizures of illegal drugs, guns and bulk cash has soared, all while trade and legal border crossings have increased. Despite the very real challenge of the cartel violence, the US side of the border has seen great progress in recent years. And while there has been great success in recent years in bringing about a better border region, of course much more must be done.

Below, please find some key materials and highlights from our past work on the 21st Century Border Initiative. 

NDN Backgrounder: The Border Is Safer, Immigration System Is Better For a history of our work and salient news from the current immigration debate check out our website, 21border.com. Below please find a collection of NDN resources on the release of the Senate and White House immigration proposals:

Simon's Statement - The U.S. Border Strategy Is Working

Simon outlines how the U.S. border strategy is working: Crime along the border is down,deportations of criminal aliens has increased, the flow of unauthorized immigrants has dropped as has the domestic population of undocumented immigrants in the United States.   There has been little to no spillover from the gang-related violence in Mexico into the United States, and seizures of narcotics into the country and bulk cash leaving the country have increased.As a result of this new and deeper partnership between our countries the American side of our common border is clearly safer today. 

President Barack Obama: Building A 21st Century Immigration System

In this speech, President Obama forcefully articulates the progress made in creating a 21st Century Border and connects it back to the broader struggle to reform our nations broken immigration system.

Video: Building a 21st Century Immigration System

Transcript: Remarks by the President on Comprehensive Immigration Reform in El Paso, Texas

NDN/NPI's 21st Century Border You Tube Page

For months, members of NDN/NPI's 21st Century Border Initiative have been busy cultivating a network of stakeholders throughout the Southwest and capturing their thoughts about the state of the U.S. - Mexican border region. You can watch them and other content on our new You Tube page.

Arturo Sarukhan & Alan Bersin Address on a 21st Century Border

Our inaugural 21st Century Border Project event was held over a year ago, and featured CPB Commissioner Alan Bersin and the Mexican Ambassador Arturo Sarukhan discussing the merits of the United States and Mexico working together to create a true 21st century border.

Video: Arturo Sarukhan & Alan Bersin Address NDN/NPI on a 21st Century Border

Transcript: Arturo Sarukhan & Alan Bersin Address NDN/NPI on a 21st Century Border

Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano on Progress Made Along U.S. Mexican Border

NDN/NPI hosted a key note speech from Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano where she outlined the positive progress made along the Southwest Border.

Video: Napolitano Speech Details Progress Made Along US-Mexican Border

Department of Homeland Security Panel Discuss Progress on 21st Century Border

A panel of senior DHS officials discuss progress made along the 21st Century Border.

Video:  Distinguished Panel Discuss Progress on 21st Century Border

A Mayor's Perspective on the U.S. - Mexico Border

Chappell Lawson, associate professor of politics at MIT and Mayor of Nogales, AZ Arturo Garino talk about the perception, the reality and the positive gains in safety along the southwest border. 

How a 21st Century Border is Essential to Prosperity in Both the U.S. and Mexico

Maria Luisa O’Connell, Senior Advisor for Trade and Public Relations Office of the Commissioner US Customs and Border Protection, led a roundtable panel discussion on how the border between Mexico and the United States is an economic benefit for the country as whole

NDN Report: The Governments Strategy on The Border Is Working

After years of investment by the federal government along the border between the United States and Mexico there has been significant progress in creating a more harmonious region.

Key Materials:

21st Century Border Declaration by The Government Of The United States and Mexico  -  This intermestic agreement pledges to strengthen cooperation between Mexico and the United States by enhancing the economic competitiveness by expediting lawful trade, while preventing the transit of illegal merchandise between their two countries, facilitating lawful travel in a manner that also prevents the illegal movement of people between our two countries.

Comexi Report Managing the United States-Mexico Border: Cooperative Solutions to Common Challenges:  Under the auspices of the Pacific Council for International Policy (PCIP) and the Mexican Council on Foreign Relations (COMEXI), thirty distinguished businessmen, civic leaders, and former government officials from Mexico and the United States committed themselves to devising ways to improve management of our common border.

Department of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano: Making The Border More Secure":  This landmark speech by Secretary Napolitano encapsulates all of the work the Department of Homeland Security and Mexico have done on the border while also charting a path forward on what the future of the Border looks like. University of Texas at El Paso A Safe on: Secure Border Zone, Additional Steps and Reforms,  Southwest Border Results, Interior Enforcement and the Future of Border Security.

Staff

Simon Rosenberg: President, NDN/NPI

Alicia Menendez: Senior Advisor, NDN/NPI

Jake Braun: Director, 21st Century Border Initiative

Kristian Ramos: Director of Policy, 21st Century Border Initiative

Press

For all press inquiries please contact Kristian Ramos at kramos@ndn.org

For all booking inquiries please contact Alicia Menendez at alicia@ndn.org

Daily Border Bulletin - Sarukhan strikes back on TX travel warning, Biometrics Coming, Expired Visas Tough to Track

Your daily border bulletin is up!  Stories featured in today's border bulletin are as follows.

Mexican ambassador suggests ‘political agenda’ behind Texas travel alert Mexican Ambassador Arturo Sarukhan has released a fiery statement condemning the Texas government for issuing a travel warning to Mexico.

DHS to Congress: Biometric immigrant exit tracking system coming within ‘weeks: In testimony to Congress  senior DHS officials outlined their plan for combating long term Visa overstays.

Immigrants with long-expired visas tough to track: With the capture of Amine El Khalifi, in an attempted bombing at the capitol the problems with Visa Overstays is being brought to light.

Daily Border Bulletin: Biden, Calderón talk U.S.-Mexico trade, Romney Attacks Sotomayor Vote, Georgia: New Anti Immig Bill

Your daily border bulletin is up! Stories featured in our border bulletin are as follows:

Biden, Calderón to talk narco violence and U.S.-Mexico trade Vice President Joe Biden is in Mexico today to talk about stopping the flow of guns from the U.S. south of the border, combating cartel members, and drug smuggling into the United States.

Romney Attacks Sotomayor Vote In a campaign advertisement Mitt Romney slams Rick Santorum over his voting to confirm future Justice Sonia Sotomayor. 

Georgia to Take Up Bill Barring Undocumented Immigrants From College  Georgia state legislature is taking up legislation which would ban undocumented immigrants from attending state colleges.

 

21st Century Border Video Spotlight: Rep. Henry Cuellar (D - TX) discussing the US - Mexico Border Region

NDN and the New Policy Institute welcomed a delegation of officials from the US side of the southwest border region. At meetings at NDN/NPI and in the White House, the delegation met with representatives from the National Economic Council, the Domestic Policy Council, the Office of Public Engagement and the Departments of State, Commerce and Homeland Security.

Below please find a video from the event of Rep. Henry Cuellar (D - TX) discussing the US - Mexico Border Region:

Daily Border Bulletin – GOP Candidates Are To The Right Of Primary Voters On Immigration, AZ Primary Signals Softening on Issue

Your daily border bulletin is up! Today's bulletin includes stories on the following:

GOP Candidates Are To The Right Of Primary Voters On Immigration Exit Polls from Arizona and Michigan reveal the the Republican presidential candidates are to the right of primary voters on immigration issues.

AZ Primary Signals Softening on Immigration In Arizona in particular there is growing evidence that the Republican party is far to right of many GOP voters in the state. 

Immigration detention is no hospitality suit An Op-Ed points out the need to examine ways to improve the standards at detention centers in the United States.

 

Daily Border Bulletin: Arizona Immigration Law: Day Labor Rules Blocked By Judge, Holder would have 'modified' Fast and Furious

Your daily border bulletin is up! Stories featured in todays bulletin are as follows:

Arizona Immigration Law: Day Labor Rules Blocked By Judge A federal judge has blocked another portion of Arizona's Immigration law, which would affect day laborers. 

Holder would have 'modified' Fast and Furious gun-tracking operation Attorney General Eric Holder came out forcefully against the rising number of guns flowing from the United States into Mexico saying more must done done to stop guns from flowing south of the border.

Army helicopters patrol US-Mexico border Finally a video highlights the U.S. Military's effort to help Customs and Border Patrol make the border region safer.

Daily Border Bulletin: AL Lawmakers Call For Immigration Law Repeal, U.S. To Fly Deported Immigrants Home, More

Your daily border bulletin is up! Stories featured in today's bulletin are as follows:

Alabama Lawmakers Calls for Immigration Law Repeal Alabama state lawmakers are speaking out saying that their home grown immigration law cannot be fixed and needs to be repealed.

US to Deport Mexican Immigrants to Home States Instead of Border The Department of Homeland Security has changed longstanding practice and is now flying Mexican migrants back to Mexico.

Alabama Lawmakers Calls for Immigration Law Repeal Former Bush Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez writes about the need to be fair to children of undocumented immigrants.

Daily Border Bulletin - In AZ, Immigration As Wedge Issue Declines, Gov. Brewer Flat Wrong On MX, Foreign investment in MX Up

Your daily border bulletin is up! Stories featured in today's bulletin are as follows:

Across Arizona, Illegal Immigration Is on Back Burner  With the architects of SB1070 Arizona's immigration law under varying degrees of controversy and more pressing economic woes facing the state, the Republican party in the state are toning down their rhetoric on the issue.

What Jan Brewer Talks About When She Talks About Mexico Arizona Governor Jan Brewer's comments regarding the U.S. Mexico border highlight the continued problems the Republican Party are having with the Hispanic vote. 

Foreign investment rises 9.7 pct in Mexico in 2011 Foreign investment in Mexico climbed nearly 10% over the last year.

21st Century Border Video Spotlight: Arturo Sarukhan & Alan Bersin Address on a 21st Century Border

Our inaugural 21st Century Border Project event was held over a year ago, and featured CPB Commissioner Alan Bersin and the Mexican Ambassador Arturo Sarukhan discussing the merits of the United States and Mexico working together to create a true 21st century border.

NDN and the New Policy Institute hosted a special event looking at a vital new initiative – a newly announced joint US-Mexican vision for a “21st Century Border.” Joining us for this discussion were the Mexican Ambassador to the United States, Arturo Sarukhan, and the Department of Homeland Security’s Commissioner of Customs and Border Projection, Alan Bersin.

TRANSCRIPT: Arturo Sarukhan & Alan Bersin Address NDN/NPI on a 21st Century Border

Daily Border Bulletin – Romney: Immigration Law Comment May Come Back To Haunt Him, Brewer Declines Defending AZ Law In Senate,

Your Daily Border Bulletin is up! Stories featured in today's border bulletin are as follows:

Romney: Immigration Law Comment May Come Back To Haunt Him Mitt Romney’s comment that Arizona’s state passed immigration law could be a model for the nation could come back to haunt him in the general election.

Brewer Declines Defending AZ Law In Senate Arizona Governor Jan Brewer has declined an invitation by Senator Charles Schumer to defend SB1070 before the Senate Judiciary Committee ahead of the Supreme Court hearing arguments over the law.

Mexico Sends U.S. Message on Guns Finally Mexico has sent the United States a message regarding the guns and the Southwest border: No More Weapons!

Daily Border Bulletin – Romney calls AZ law a model for the nation, Kobach on "Self Deportation," Video Slams Romney on Immig.

Your daily border bulletin is up! Stories featured in today's border bulletin include:

Romney calls Arizona immigration law a model for the nation In last nights Republican debate Mitt Romney came out hard for Arizona’s enforcement centric legislation as a model for immigration reform nationally.

The man behind Romney’s “self-deportation” plan Romney’s immigration adviser Kris Kobach, has come out in defense of “self deportation,” saying that he hopes that by 2016 we will have made 5.6 million undocumented immigrants leave the country.

Democrats slam Romney on immigration in new ad Today Democrats have released a new advertisement labeling Mitt Romney the most extreme presidential candidate on immigration ever.

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