A record number of extraditions have occurred over the Mexican border this year, with numbers reaching 100 at the beginning of November. The BBC reports that these record figures are a sign of increased cross-border co-operation and "reflect an increasing trend for Mexico to allow those accused of drug and other serious crimes to be tried in the US." Prior to a meeting with Mexico's attorney general, Arturo Chavez, US Attorney General Eric Holder said in a statement: "By ensuring that alleged criminals are held accountable, we send a strong message that fleeing across the border does not mean you will escape justice."

Mexico under Calderon is reversing the previous trend of refusing extradition requests from the US, which were viewed as threats to its sovereignty. Extradition as a tactic has been used by the Mexican government in Calderon's fight against drug cartels as the American penal system is considered to be stricter and less corrupt than the Mexican prison system. But as the Associated Press reports, criminals facing the death penalty are not extradited as it is illegal in Mexico. Mexico is no longer a refuge for criminals; "The old idea of ‘crossing the border' to flee justice should disappear as the ties between the two countries grow tighter." (La Opinión)

Just as crime can cross the southern and northern borders, justice does too. Extradition hearings have also recently been held in Canada for two Ontario man wanted by the FBI. According to CTV News, "US authorities allege the suspects are members of a radical Muslim group that espoused violence and sought to establish an independent Shariah-law state within the United States." Canada's self-proclaimed "Prince of Pot" has also given himself up for extradition to the United States on drug-related charges.

Today, the Wall Street Journal reports that the number of people caught illegally entering the US continues to drop. An increase in agents and technology at the borders has contributed to this growing trend. In paper for the Canadian International Council (CIC) Margaret Kalacska recommends the adoption of remote sensing technology, computer programs, and jointed cooperation between authorities on all sides of the border to protect North American countries against organized crime, money laundering and drug, human and illegal arms trafficking.

Related:

• CIC Study: Technological integration the best ally for Canada-U.S. border security, new study reveals
• In the News: New border checks weeding out U.S. criminals
• In the News: New patrol to monitor Quebec-U. S. border
• Multimedia/Digital Videos: (ACSUS) North American Perspectives on Borders and Security
• Network Experts: Crime, Justice and Legal Issues
• Past Feature: The Changing Nature of Illegal Immigration

(Image credit: Flickr user Diane M. Byrne)