The United States of America and Colombia have signed a memorandum of understanding, paving the way for both nations to exchange biometric data collected from migrants.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who travelled from Washington DC to Bogotá on Thursday, described the agreement as a step towards cracking down on undocumented immigration in both countries.
Noem also highlighted its benefits for Colombia, a frequent destination for migrants and refugees fleeing economic turmoil and political repression in neighbouring Venezuela.
“This deployment of biometric capabilities under the Department of Homeland Security’s biometric data-sharing partnership is going to help us make an impact by assisting Colombia — and by helping the Colombian people detect and stop criminals and terrorists from attempting to cross its borders,” Noem said.
“So while we work together, the people of Colombia will be safer.”
US President Donald Trump is known for his rhetoric on the dangers of undocumented immigration, often associating it with criminality.
