Us Law Enforcement: Crossing Mexican Borders?

Mexico's law enforcement operates with three distinct powers of authority and jurisdiction: federal, state, and municipal. The country's law enforcement agencies include the Criminal Investigations Agency (AIC), the Prosecutor's Office Specialized in Organized Crime Matters (FEMDO), the Federal Protection Service (SPF), and the National Intelligence Centre (CNI). The United States and Mexico have a history of law enforcement cooperation, with both countries working together to tackle issues such as human smuggling, drug trafficking, and organized crime. While there is no explicit mention of American law enforcement entering Mexico, the collaboration between the two countries suggests a level of coordination and information sharing across borders.

US-Mexico law enforcement cooperation

The United States and Mexico have a history of law enforcement cooperation, particularly in combating transnational criminal organizations involved in drug trafficking and human smuggling. This cooperation has resulted in significant enforcement actions and the dismantling of these criminal organizations.

One notable example of US-Mexico law enforcement cooperation is the Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA), established by the Attorney General in June 2021. JTFA aims to marshal the investigative and prosecutorial resources of the Department of Justice and its law enforcement partners to target human smugglers and enhance coordination in transnational law enforcement efforts. JTFA has made significant strides, resulting in numerous arrests, convictions, and seizures of assets and contraband, including drugs, cash, and firearms.

Another instance of successful cooperation is the takedown of a prolific transnational alien smuggling organization operating along the US-Mexico border. This operation, led by Mexico's Attorney General's Office "Fiscalía General de la República" (FGR), was made possible through extensive bilateral cooperation between the two countries. The targeted organization was based in Juarez, Mexico, and was responsible for illegally smuggling individuals, including children, from Central America into the United States. The enforcement operation included the execution of arrest warrants in Mexico, with the evidence provided by the United States for prosecution.

In addition to human smuggling, US-Mexico law enforcement cooperation has also targeted drug trafficking organizations. In July 2023, a significant enforcement operation was conducted in Nogales, Sonora, along the US-Mexico border, resulting in arrests and seizures of large quantities of drugs and weapons. This operation was led by Mexico's Attorney General's Office (FGR) with support from various US law enforcement agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

The success of these joint efforts highlights the importance of cross-border cooperation in addressing shared challenges, such as transnational crime and drug trafficking. By working together, the law enforcement agencies of the United States and Mexico can more effectively disrupt and dismantle criminal organizations that pose threats to the security and well-being of both nations.

US law enforcement involvement in Mexico

The involvement of US law enforcement in Mexico is complex and multifaceted, with a range of agencies from both countries working together to address shared challenges such as drug trafficking, human smuggling, and transnational criminal organizations.

One key aspect of US law enforcement involvement in Mexico is the cooperation between the two countries' law enforcement agencies. This cooperation has resulted in significant joint operations targeting drug trafficking and human smuggling organizations operating along the US-Mexico border. For example, in 2023, US and Mexican law enforcement agencies conducted an enforcement operation in Nogales, Sonora, that led to the arrest of five people and the seizure of large quantities of drugs and weapons. Similarly, in 2025, bilateral cooperation led to the takedown of a prolific transnational human smuggling organization based in Juarez, Chihuahua, that was responsible for illegally smuggling individuals, including children, into the United States.

US law enforcement agencies, such as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Department of Justice (DOJ), play a crucial role in these joint operations. The DOJ, in particular, has established task forces like Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA) to enhance coordination and information sharing between US and Mexican authorities. JTFA, for instance, has resulted in hundreds of arrests, convictions, and seizures of assets and contraband related to human smuggling and trafficking networks.

Another aspect of US law enforcement involvement in Mexico is the provision of training and capacity-building support. US agencies, such as the DEA and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), often provide training and technical assistance to their Mexican counterparts to help improve their investigative and operational capabilities. This support aims to strengthen Mexico's ability to combat drug trafficking, organized crime, and corruption within its own law enforcement agencies.

It is important to note that the involvement of US law enforcement in Mexico is not without controversy. There have been concerns raised about the effectiveness of joint operations and the potential overreliance on US agencies, which may impact Mexico's sovereignty and the independence of its law enforcement institutions. Additionally, Mexico's new strategy of militarization, which includes the deployment of the military for police operations, has sparked debates about human rights violations and the blurring of lines between civil and military duties.

Mexican National Guard

The Mexican National Guard (Guardia Nacional) is the national gendarmerie of Mexico, created in 2019 by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. It was formed by absorbing units and officers from the Federal Police, Military Police, and Naval Police. López Obrador, who had promised to take the military off the streets, initially pitched the National Guard as a civilian security force under the control of the Public Safety Ministry. However, in 2022, a reform package approved by the Mexican Congress transferred command of the National Guard to the military, specifically the Secretariat of National Defense, which has drawn criticism from some.

The National Guard has played a significant role in enforcing Mexico's immigration policy, particularly along the Guatemala border. In 2019, as part of an agreement with the United States, Mexico deployed the National Guard to its border with Guatemala to curb illegal immigration. A survey from that year indicated that a majority of Mexicans (53%) trusted the National Guard, and over half (51%) supported using the National Guard to repel illegal immigration.

The National Guard has been involved in operations to combat human smuggling and trafficking groups, often in collaboration with US law enforcement agencies. For instance, in 2023, the National Guard assisted in an operation that led to the arrest of five Guatemalan human smugglers linked to a mass casualty event in Chiapas, Mexico. In another instance, the National Guard aided in uncovering a CJNG extermination camp in Jalisco, where charred human remains and personal belongings were found.

According to legislative acts of Congress, the National Guard's law enforcement and public security duties fall under the Secretary of Security and Civilian Protection, while its military responsibilities are overseen by the Secretariat of National Defense as an auxiliary to the Mexican Armed Forces. The National Guard is organized on five command levels, reflecting this division of responsibilities.

Transnational law enforcement

In one notable instance, the United States Department of Justice highlighted the collaboration between American and Mexican law enforcement agencies, coordinated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (ICE HSI) El Paso and HSI-Mexico City, in dismantling a prolific transnational alien smuggling organization operating along the U.S.-Mexico border. This operation, led by the Mexico Attorney General's Office, resulted in the execution of arrest warrants for alleged alien smugglers with evidence provided by the United States for prosecution in Mexico.

Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA), established by the U.S. Attorney General, plays a crucial role in enhancing coordination in transnational law enforcement efforts. JTFA's work has led to hundreds of arrests, convictions, and seizures of assets and contraband related to human smuggling and drug trafficking. The task force focuses on disrupting and dismantling smuggling networks that abuse, exploit, and endanger migrants, pose national security threats, or are involved in organized crime.

Additionally, the United States and Mexico have a history of law enforcement cooperation through the exchange of information and the extradition of fugitives. Since 2005, Mexico has deported between 150 and 200 fugitives to face justice in the United States. This level of collaboration underscores the importance of cross-border cooperation in addressing shared challenges, such as drug-related crimes and transnational criminal organizations.

Mexico's law enforcement structure consists of three distinct powers of authority and jurisdiction: federal, state, and municipal. The federal government operates the Criminal Investigations Agency (AIC), which functions under the Prosecutor General's Office (FGR). The FGR also includes specialized agencies like the Prosecutor's Office Specialized in Organized Crime Matters (FEMDO), targeting high-profile organized crime cases. The National Public Security System formulates and executes policies, programs, and strategies regarding public safety, while the Federal Protection Service (SPF) and National Intelligence Centre (CNI) are overseen by the Ministry of Security and Civilian Protection.

Mexican law enforcement agencies

The Mexican federal government's strategy of militarization has raised concerns among both Americans and Mexicans. This includes the deployment of marines and the army to carry out police operations, potentially blurring the lines between civil and military duties and leading to human rights violations or an erosion of trust in local authorities.

Mexico's law enforcement agencies face significant challenges, including drug trafficking, money laundering, and trafficking of firearms, people, and counterfeit goods. The National Institute of Migration (INM) is tasked with preventing illegal immigration to the United States and managing immigration policies within Mexico. The INM collaborates with other federal agencies to conduct border inspections, oversee temporary migration programs, and address human trafficking and smuggling networks.

The Criminal Investigations Agency (AIC), also known as the Policía Federal Ministerial (PFM), is a plainclothes criminal investigations force that operates under the Prosecutor General's Office (FGR). The FGR is responsible for prosecuting crimes and dismantling criminal organizations, such as cartels and transnational human smuggling networks, often in collaboration with US law enforcement agencies.

Other specialized agencies within the Mexican law enforcement system include the Federal Protection Service (SPF), the National Intelligence Centre (CNI), the Secretariat of Citizen Security of Mexico City (SSC), the Public Transit Police, the Tourist Police, the Mounted Police, and various special units such as the Special Unit (Buczo Especial) and the Task Force.

Frequently asked questions