ATF, ICE Update Partnership Agreement to Maximize Investigative Efforts

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., June 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Bureau of Alcohol,
Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement (ICE) updated a memorandum of understanding (MOU) today that
clearly establishes how the two agencies will work together on investigations
of international firearms trafficking and possession of firearms by illegal
aliens.

ATF and ICE routinely conduct joint investigations. This agreement clarifies
the notification process each agency is expected to follow while investigating
the international trafficking of firearms, ammunition, explosives, weapons and
munitions. Both agencies are committed to working together to reduce
firearms-related violence along the U.S. border.

"This partnership reflects our ongoing commitment to working together to
protect the American people along our borders and throughout the country,"
said Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. "Through
enhanced information sharing, we will be able to utilize the full range of the
federal government's capabilities to disrupt firearms trafficking while
strengthening efforts to combat organized crime."

"The significant challenges we face from the Mexican cartels require a
coordinated and coherent response across all levels of government, both
domestically and internationally," said Deputy Attorney General David W.
Ogden. "We know that when we work together, we can have a substantial impact.
With the signing of this agreement, the Departments of Justice and Homeland
Security prove our joint commitment to combating firearms trafficking."

The critical nature of these investigations and enforcement has been
highlighted in recent years with the escalated gun violence between rival drug
trafficking organizations (DTO) in Mexico, and DTO violence against officials
from the government of Mexico, which have claimed several thousand lives in
that country.

"It is essential that we do all we can to stop gun trafficking that fuels
violence by criminal organizations, especially along the Southwest Border,"
said Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for ICE John Morton.
"This new agreement will guide the use of our collective authorities to
dismantle criminal enterprises and to interdict the flow of firearms in to
Mexico."

"ATF's strategic plan addresses violent crime and firearms trafficking across
the nation," said ATF Acting Director Kenneth Melson. "This MOU allows ATF and
ICE to better serve America by maximizing their law enforcement efforts and
expertise to keep our citizens safe and secure."

The MOU will optimize the resources and minimize the duplication of efforts by
each agency. This agreement establishes a framework for both agencies to
conduct investigations and share intelligence. The MOU was signed by both
agency heads at the ATF-sponsored Violent Crime and Firearms Trafficking
Summit in Albuquerque, N.M.

ATF is the federal law enforcement agency responsible for enforcing federal
firearms and explosives laws, and has the sole authority to regulate and
inspect those two industries. ICE is the federal agency responsible for the
enforcement of import, export and immigration laws. By working jointly to
exercise these unique law enforcement authorities, the two agencies are
well-equipped to investigate gun law violations as they pertain to
international firearms trafficking.

Fact Sheet:

Memorandum of Understanding between U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
(ICE) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

-- This agreement establishes how ATF and ICE will work together on
investigations of international firearms trafficking and possession of
firearms by illegal aliens.
-- This agreement clarifies the notification process each agency is
expected to follow while investigating the international trafficking
of
firearms, ammunition, explosives, weapons and munitions. Both
agencies
are committed to working together to reduce firearms-related violence
along the U.S. border.
-- When ATF and ICE interests overlap, this MOU will serve to coordinate
how both will pursue their investigations cooperatively to optimize
the
use of resources and minimize the duplication of efforts.
-- The MOU stipulates that ICE and ATF agents will proactively contact
each
other and offer to jointly work an investigation that impinges on the
other's primary jurisdiction. The MOU brings expertise and added
manpower to perfect possible prosecutions.
-- The MOU will optimize the resources and minimize the duplication of
efforts by each agency. This agreement establishes a framework for
both
agencies to conduct investigations and share intelligence.
-- ATF and ICE work very well together on the border and across the
country. At no time has anything prevented our agencies from
protecting
the citizens of the United States.

-- ATF is the federal law enforcement agency responsible for enforcing
federal firearms and explosives laws, and has the sole authority to
regulate and inspect those two industries. ICE is the federal agency
responsible for the enforcement of import, export and immigration
laws.
By working jointly to exercise these unique law enforcement
authorities,
the two agencies are well equipped to investigate gun law violations
as
they pertain to international firearms trafficking.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is the federal
law enforcement agency charged with enforcing the two major laws enacted by
Congress to directly respond to firearms-related violence. ATF also regulates
the firearms and explosives industries to ensure compliance will all
applicable laws and regulations.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was established in 2003 as the
largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. ICE is
comprised of five integrated divisions that form a 21st century law
enforcement agency with broad responsibility for a number of key homeland
security priorities.

Contacts:
(ICE) Leticia Zamarripa: (915) 726-8210
(ATF) John Hageman: (609) 743-2987
ATF Public Affairs Division: (202) 648-8500

SOURCE Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Leticia Zamarripa, ICE, +1-915-726-8210; John Hageman, ATF, +1-609-743-2987;
or ATF Public Affairs Division, +1-202-648-8500