US partners with Colombia to take on immigration using biometric capabilities
The United States and Colombia have joined forces to enhance their biometric capabilities in order to better manage migration and combat criminal activities. This collaboration was solidified through an agreement signed by U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem and Colombia Foreign Minister Laura Sarabia during a meeting in Bogota.
Secretary Noem emphasized the significance of the partnership by stating, “Today we have signed a statement of intent for biometric cooperation, and it will reaffirm our strong, resilient, and enduring partnership.” This agreement comes on the heels of a recent clash between President Donald Trump and Colombia President Gustavo Petro regarding the treatment of Colombian migrants on deportation flights from the U.S.
In response to the deportation flights, President Petro initially rejected them, citing concerns about the treatment of Colombian migrants. However, after facing threats from President Trump, including potential tariffs and visa revocations, Colombia eventually agreed to resume deportations. President Petro has since encouraged Colombian migrants to return home.
Acknowledging Colombia’s efforts, Secretary Noem commended the country for resuming the repatriation of migrants and highlighted the importance of sharing biometric data to enhance cooperation between the two nations. This sharing of data is expected to make the process more efficient and effective.
The memorandum of understanding signed by Secretary Noem and Foreign Minister Sarabia aims to strengthen the sharing of migratory information while also ensuring that migrants’ dignity and rights are respected. This collaboration is part of a broader effort to enhance regional security systems and disrupt illegal activities and human trafficking across the Western Hemisphere.
During her visit to Colombia, Secretary Noem was scheduled to meet with President Petro to further discuss cooperation between the two countries. The partnership between the U.S. and Colombia in deploying biometric capabilities underscores their commitment to addressing migration challenges and enhancing security in the region.
This article was compiled with contributions from Fox News Digital’s Andrea Margolis and Landon Mion, as well as Reuters. For more breaking news and updates, stay tuned to Fox News Digital.
Author Bio: Greg Wehner is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital. For story tips and ideas, you can reach out to Greg.Wehner@Fox.com or follow him on Twitter @GregWehner.
