Joe Biden in Guatemala to discuss funding aimed at curbing Central American immigration to the U.S.

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, left, shakes hands with Guatemalaâs President Otto Perez Molina during a photo opportunity at the National Palace in Guatemala City, Monday, March 2, 2015. Joe Biden is starting a two day trip to meet with the leaders of Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras regarding immigration issues. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

GUATEMALA CITY (AP) – U.S. Vice President Joe Biden has arrived in Guatemala for a two-day visit with Central American presidents to discuss funding priorities aimed at slowing migration.

Last month, President Barack Obama included $1 billion for Central America in the budget request he sent to Congress. Through the proposed investment, the U.S. hopes to reduce the high level of migration from Central America to the United States that has occurred in recent years.

Last summer, the U.S. saw numbers of immigrants, especially mothers with children, from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador that overwhelmed U.S. immigration authorities in south Texas.

Presidents of those countries are proposing projects that would spur economic development and improve security. Lack of economic opportunity and surging levels of violence in those countries drove many of the immigrants north.

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