The Obama administration has proposed pledging $1 billion to address the issues in Central America, specifically the region's security and governance.

William Brownfield, assistant secretary for the U.S. State Department's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, spoke about the "interrelated economic, political and security challenges" in Central America, which has had an effect on U.S. interests.

"Last summer's surge in the numbers of unaccompanied children and families from Central America to the United States was just the most dramatic example of how our national security is entwined with that of the region," said Brownfield, adding the growth of violent transnational gangs and drug trafficking also had an impact.

According to Brownfield, Central America will remain a "source of further instability" for the U.S. and its neighbors if its economic and institution prospects remain weak and crime rates remain high. Brownfield noted if the troubles continue then illegal migration will continue.

"With smart foreign assistance and sustained political engagement, we can address the underlying factors of insecurity in the region in a strategic and sustained way, and help support our Central American partners achieve better governance and economic growth," Brownfield said to the House of Representatives' Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere.

"Let me be clear. We cannot address security in a vacuum," he continued. "Sustainable security depends also on the strength of government institutions and equitable economic growth, and we are working closely with our interagency partners to implement this comprehensive plan."

Brownfield mentioned the funding requests to aid Central America, including $205 million for narcotics control and law enforcement. Domestic violence and rape laws in Central America -- specifically El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras -- have done little to curb crime. Brownfield said that violence against women remains "extremely high" and programs focused on the issue are in plan.

"Through continued support for law enforcement training and vetted units, [the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs] is focused on promoting reforms to establish new relationships between police forces and the public they serve and improving the capacity of law enforcement to combat transnational organized crime," said Brownfield.

As Latin Post reported, based on data released by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the apprehensions of undocumented immigrant children have dropped by half at select southwest border sectors. During the 2015 fiscal year, so far, 15,647 unaccompanied immigrant children have been apprehended across nine sectors in the southwestern U.S. In comparison to the same time period in 2014, the CBP apprehended 28,579 unaccompanied children.

Mexico and Guatemala have been responsible for most of the unaccompanied immigrant children encountered by the CBP. The CBP encountered 5,572 immigrant children from Mexico, while the rate of Guatemalans was close at 5,465. El Salvador ranked third with 2,788 immigrant children, followed by Honduras with 1,549.

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