US, Mexico strengthen border security with ‘Se Busca Información’ initiative, unveil new goals

Building on a partnership that spans international borders, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and their Mexican counterparts in the state of Chihuahua have raised the stakes in their joint campaign to combat crime. The Se Busca Información initiative, designed to capture wanted criminals who threaten the safety of communities on both sides of the border, has unveiled five new goals, according to a CBP press release.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Pete Flores emphasized the need for such partnerships, stating, “The men and women of U.S. Customs and Border Protection work every day to combat criminals and transnational criminal organizations through a layered enforcement approach, alongside our partners.” Elaborating on the importance of the initiative, Flores told CBP’s official website, “The Se Busca Initiative is an important part of this effort to apprehend dangerous criminals wanted on both sides of the border – and we need the public’s help to identify and apprehend these criminals who threaten our shared security.”

With crimes ranging from human trafficking, drug trafficking, to sex crimes against children and murder, the seriousness of these efforts cannot be overstated. To engage the public, high visibility tactics are being used in the form of posters, flyers, and billboards in El Paso, Texas and Chihuahua, Mexico to show the likenesses of these individuals. Anyone with relevant information is encouraged to contact law enforcement via phone or WhatsApp at +1 915-314-8194, which is staffed 24/7 and serves both English and Spanish speakers.

Since its inception in 2019, the initiative has not been without success. Information routed through the tip line has resulted in the arrest of nine targets from previous campaigns and four additional criminals not on the original list. U.S. Border Patrol El Paso Sector Chief Anthony “Scott” Good emphasized the shared benefits: “This binational initiative between the United States and Mexico is in the best interests of both countries to promote a safer and more secure shared border region.” He went on to advocate for the need to reach out to community members on both sides of the border “to enlist their assistance in catching these dangerous criminals,” according to a statement from CBP.