Obama, Mexican leader team up on border fix

President Obama and Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto worked to develop a strategy to address the surge of unaccompanied children from Central America entering the U.S. illegally.

Obama called Peña Nieto Thursday, a day before he meets with leaders of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador about the ongoing border crisis.

{mosads}According to a White House statement, Obama welcomed Peña Nieto’s efforts to crackdown on smugglers who are trafficking unaccompanied children through the U.S.-Mexico border, saying the minors were “vulnerable to crime and abuse” along the treacherous journey and would likely be sent back home.

Mexico has announced a comprehensive strategy to improve controls and safeguards along its border with Guatemala and Belize, in hopes of deterring potential immigrants.

Both leaders discussed ways to coordinate government responses to the influx of immigrants as well as regional efforts to address conditions in Central American states that are leading people to seek entry to the U.S.