U.S., Central America launch plan to crack down on people smugglers

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen takes part in a news conference after the IV meeting of security ministers of the Northern Triangle of Central America in San Salvador, El Salvador February 20, 2019. REUTERS/Jose Cabezas

SAN SALVADOR (Reuters) - The United States and three Central American nations on Wednesday announced an effort to combat trafficking of people to the U.S.-Mexico border, days after U.S. President Donald Trump declared a national emergency, citing large-scale unlawful immigration.

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen called immigration from the region a "humanitarian crisis" and said the regional security plan with El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras would secure the border and improve conditions in the countries.