President Joe Biden and Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador intend to “significantly” reduce border crossings

President Biden and Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador have agreed to implement a plan to reduce border crossings on the U.S.-Mexico border in the near term, the White House said.

The two presidents on Sunday discussed the broad strokes of migration in the Western Hemisphere, but focused on plans with immediate consequences, according to a readout of a call between the two leaders.

“The two leaders discussed how to effectively manage hemispheric migration, strengthen operational efficiency on our common border and, thus, improve the security and prosperity of citizens of both countries”, reads the joint statement.

“In the short term, the two leaders ordered their national security teams to work together to immediately implement concrete measures to significantly reduce irregular border crossings while protecting human rights.”

López Obrador has become an increasingly important partner for the Biden administration in keeping the number of border crossings low amid presidential elections in both countries.

On Monday, López Obrador commented on the call with Biden during his hours-long daily press conference, talking about “keeping the border open so that those who are in legal proceedings can enter the United States.”

López Obrador has long pressed the United States for a more holistic approach to migration and for an expansion of work permits and visas for Mexican citizens.

But he took office in 2018, amid the Trump administration’s crackdown on border crossings, and has proved a willing partner for Trump-era policies such as the so-called Migrant Protection Protocols, better known as “remain in Mexico.” .

And a drop in U.S.-Mexico border crossings has been largely attributed to increased Mexican enforcement of migration controls, including, at times, preventing migrants from using freight trains to cross the country.

“If Mexican forces violate the rights of migrants along the way – whether directly or by inaction, letting organized crime violate their rights – the Biden administration remains silent on this,” said Adam Isacson, director of defense oversight at the Washington Office for Latin America.

Mexican migration enforcement, however, has raised allegations of human rights violations along the U.S.-Mexico border, in the interior of the country, and along the country’s southern border with Guatemala.

Although López Obrador is seen as a key player in Biden’s re-election chances, he is expected to hand over power to his successor on October 1, about a month before the US presidential election.

López Obrador’s chosen successor, former Mexico City mayor Claudia Sheinbaum, is the overwhelming favorite to win elections in June and is expected to maintain most of López Obrador’s policies.