Article snippet: The New York Times reported Saturday. According to the Times, officials from both countries said Mexico's agreement on Friday to deploy its national guard throughout Mexico, "giving priority to its southern border," had already been promised in March during secret discussions with then-Homeland Security Secretary MORE and Olga Sanchez, the Mexican secretary of the interior, in Miami. Officials told the Times that the central part of Friday's deal, which expanded the program permitting asylum-seekers to remain in Mexico while their claims are processed, was also agreed upon before Friday's announcement. The Times noted that the Migrant Protection Protocols were announced in December by Nielsen during a House Judiciary Committee hearing. The Times reported that it was not immediately clear whether Trump believes Friday's deal represents new concessions or whether his embrace of the agreement was an attempt to avoid possible negative political and economic ramifications from imposing steep tariffs on Mexico. The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment. Trump had hailed the deal early Saturday, voicing optimism about Mexico's efforts to curtail illegal immigration to the U.S. The president said the country "will try very hard, and if they do that, this will be a very successful agreement for both the United States and Mexico!" Trump also asserted that, despite some positive reviews, "there has nevertheless been much false reporting (surprise!) by the Fak... Link to the full article to read more