Agreement will enable USAID to use apprehension data to better target programming in Central America to populations most likely to attempt to migrate illegally to the United States

On March 12, 2020, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Assistant Administrator for Latin America and the Caribbean John D. Barsa signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Robert E. Perez, Deputy Commissioner for United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). As part of the Trump Administration's strategy to advance U.S. national security and prosperity, this new agreement will enable USAID to use apprehension data collected by DHS/CBP to target foreign-assistance programs within Central America to focus on curbing illegal immigration to the United States. Using this information, including de-identified data on migrants' country of citizenship, place of birth, city and country of permanent residence, age, and sex, USAID will be better-equipped to design its programming for the specific areas from which people are attempting to immigrate illegally to the United States. USAID will not share information on its beneficiaries with DHS/CBP under this MOU.