WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. government on Tuesday promised billions of U.S. dollars of aid to three Central American countries and Mexico as illegal immigration from the Mexican border remains a serious problem for the United States.
The United States is committing 5.8 billion dollars through public and private investment toward the Northern Triangle countries, namely, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, said the U.S. State Department in a statement.
The fund will be used "in support of institutional reforms, development, and economic growth" in the countries, according to the statement.
Washington also vowed to strengthen its support for development in southern Mexico by allocating 2 billion dollars for projects in this area, said the State Department.
Illegal immigrants trying to enter the United States through the Mexican border remain a major concern for the U.S. government.
Washington has added pressure on the Mexican government to stop the migrants from arriving at the U.S. border, either making them remain in Mexico or give up and head home.
In October, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to cut off or reduce U.S. aid to Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador as the three countries failed to stop people from the exodus.
