On March 29 and 30, 2022, Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security John Tien hosted United Kingdom Home Office Permanent Secretary Matthew Rycroft for the U.S-U.K. Joint Contact Group (JCG). Since its June 2003 inaugural meeting, the JCG has provided strategic direction for U.S.–U.K. homeland security cooperation and collaboration.
Deputy Secretary Tien reiterated the Department’s close partnership and friendship with the U.K. Home Office and emphasized opportunities for continued bilateral cooperation on counterterrorism initiatives, including by increasing information sharing, fighting malign foreign influence, and combating smuggling and human trafficking.
During the meeting, Deputy Secretary Tien and Permanent Secretary Rycroft signed a New Cooperative Agreement between DHS and the U.K. Home Office and U.K. National Cyber Security Centre. The agreement addresses key homeland security mission initiatives, including the effective defense of our critical national infrastructure. It also promotes the exchange of information and allows for cross-cutting, cooperative work.