The SIG is a bilateral U.S.–Mexico working group created in September 2025 to coordinate and implement urgent, operational security measures across the border (fentanyl, TCOs, illicit finance, arms trafficking, drones). It brings together senior representatives from six U.S. government entities and their Mexican counterparts; U.S. participants named in official releases include the Department of State (Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs), Department of Homeland Security (International Affairs), Department of Defense (Western Hemisphere affairs), the White House Homeland Security Council, Department of the Treasury, and Department of Justice (and other law‑enforcement partners), while Mexican participants include officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Attorney General’s Office, the National Public Security System, the Financial Intelligence Unit (UIF), and senior Defense and Navy staff.
Extradition is a formal, treaty‑based legal surrender of a person from one sovereign to another for prosecution or punishment; it is handled by federal authorities under extradition treaties. A transfer (or prisoner transfer) generally refers to moving a detainee between jurisdictions—often to serve an existing sentence or for trial—under separate prisoner‑transfer agreements or case‑by‑case arrangements; transfers may involve different legal standards (consent of the prisoner, sentencing considerations, or temporary surrender) and can be distinct from extradition procedures.
A Transnational Criminal Organization (TCO) is an illicit group that operates across national borders to engage in large‑scale crimes (drug trafficking, money laundering, arms trafficking, kidnapping, etc.). In the U.S.–Mexico region TCOs principally include major Mexican drug cartels such as the Sinaloa Cartel, CJNG (Jalisco New Generation), and other organized criminal groups that traffic fentanyl, precursor chemicals, firearms, and illicit proceeds across the border.
Authorities aim to stop illicit UAS activity that supports criminal operations at major sporting events—smuggling drugs or contraband, conducting surveillance of venues or law‑enforcement movements, and carrying weapons or explosives. Countermeasures focus on detection, interdiction, and legal controls to prevent hostile or unauthorized drone flights near crowds and critical infrastructure.
Tools to disrupt illicit finance commonly used by U.S. and Mexican authorities include targeted sanctions and designation programs (to block access to the financial system), civil and criminal asset seizures/forfeitures, subpoenas and criminal prosecutions, anti‑money‑laundering (AML) investigations and reporting requirements, financial intelligence sharing, and use of financial‑sector regulations to cut off illicit revenue streams.
Public reporting by the U.S. State Department (Jan. 24, 2026) says Mexico transferred 37 “criminals and narcoterrorists” on January 20 to U.S. authorities; the releases do not specify each receiving U.S. jurisdiction or the precise legal instrument in public text, but such transfers are typically carried out under binational arrangements (extradition treaties, prisoner‑transfer agreements, or case‑by‑case surrender/temporary‑surrender mechanisms) coordinated between federal authorities of both countries.
Ryan Wedding is an individual described by the FBI as a fugitive added to the FBIs Ten Most Wanted list; U.S. authorities said the bilateral partnership with Mexico led to his capture. Public Department of State releases reference his capture but do not list the underlying criminal charges; the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted entries provide specific charges and case details (search the FBI Ten Most Wanted for Ryan Wedding for the formal charges and case status).