TIME: US and Mexico Agree to Improve Customs

By AP / EILEEN SULLIVAN Monday, Jun. 15, 2009

(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. and Mexico have agreed to work together to secure legal travel and trade across the countries’ shared border.

The agreement is outlined in a letter of intent signed Monday by U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Mexico’s Finance Minister Agustin Carstens.

Officials say the agreement will improve communication and strengthen coordination on border enforcement.

The countries agreed to work on port security and improve the customs processes on either side of the border.

The agreement is part of the U.S.-Mexico effort to curb drug and weapons trafficking and crack down on smuggling cartels.