03/30/11— On Thursday, March 31, the Trans-Border Institute (TBI) will provide testimony for the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security’s Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Management will hold a hearing entitled “The U.S. Homeland Security Role in the Mexican War Against Drug Cartels.” This Subcommittee is chaired by the Hon. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) and will meet at 10:00 a.m. (EST) in 311 Cannon House Office Building, with director David Shirk presenting on behalf of the Trans-Border Institute.
During the hearing, Dr. Shirk and Dr. John Bailey of Georgetown University will be preceded by other witnesses from the Department of Homeland Security, Department State, Department of Defense, and the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association. Dr. Shirk’s testimony relies on drug violence research from TBI’s Justice in Mexico Project, and draws from his recent report for the Council on Foreign Relations. His testimony examines the security situation in Mexico, the interests of U.S. national security affected, the specific role of U.S. border security efforts, and policy recommendations to reduce the power and impunity of Mexico’s organized crime groups.
Specifically, Dr. Shirk will emphasize the importance of strengthening controls to prevent illegal exports of firearms to Mexico, establish better controls on money laundering and criminal financial operations, enhancing cross-border cooperation and liaison mechanisms, preventing blowback from U.S. deportations of criminal aliens, developing explicit performance measures for the fight against organized crime, and evaluating alternatives to current counter-drug policy.
The hearing will be streamed live via webcast from the Subcommittee’s website starting at 10:00am (Eastern Standard Time).
