Southern Border Initiative: Investigative Response to Cross Border Abductions

Wednesday, August 6, 2025

4:00 PM – 5:15 PM CT

Location: Houston A

Earn 1.25 Credit Hours

Target Audience: Law Enforcement, Victim Advocate

Primary Presenter(s)

Yesenia Leon-Baron (she/her/hers)

Project Coordinator International and Territorial Projects
National Criminal Justice Training Center (NCJTC)

Co-Presenter(s)

Tyesha M. Wood (she/her/hers)

Program Manager
AMBER Alert in Indian Country

Identify the law enforcement challenges involved in cross-border abductions. Examine the crucial steps in the initial response and recognize the vital components of the investigative response. Discussion will include cultural and response considerations on tribal lands that may impact both the initial and investigative responses. Additionally, analyze instances of cross-border parental abduction.

Learning Objectives:

Identify law enforcement challenges from left-behind parent
Examine crucial steps in the initial investigative response
Recognize vital steps in your investigative response and Mexico's investigative response.