Secretary Signs Agreement with Spain

Moments ago, Secretary Napolitano and Spanish Interior Minister Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba signed an agreement formalizing the Immigration Advisory Program. The IAP has been a pilot program since February 2008, and allows the U.S. to identify and prevent high-risk travelers at foreign airports from flying to the U.S.

In the 16 months since the pilot began, the IAP has identified hundreds of people with improper documentation, intercepted 23 persons with fraudulent documents, and importantly, stopped 10 terrorism-related suspects from heading to our shores.

The preliminary success of the IAP encourages further cooperation between the U.S. and Spain on this issue.

“Protecting our nation from terrorism requires close coordination with our international allies,” said Secretary Napolitano. "This agreement enhances the capabilities of the United States and Spain to facilitate legal travel and deter dangerous people attempting to enter our country.”