MCALLEN, Texas (AP) — The head of the U.S. Homeland Security Department is to meet with federal border security personnel in McAllen on the way to meetings in Mexico.

Acting Secretary Rand Beers was scheduled to make a brief visit to McAllen on Thursday. Beers was expected to meet with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel. No public appearances were planned.

The Border Patrol's Rio Grande Valley sector has seen increasing apprehension numbers in recent years that put it on track to make it the Southwest border's apprehension leader this year. The sector has been receiving additional personnel to bolster its efforts.

Beers is scheduled to join Vice President Joe Biden in Mexico City Friday for the launch of an economic dialogue between the two countries.

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