The US government on Tuesday laid out a new strategy to secure the border with Mexico, which is being destabilized by drug cartels and gang violence.
"President (Barack) Obama and his administration are focused on all aspects of the US relationship with Mexico because it is vital to core US national interests," the White House said in a written summary of the strategy.
"The president is concerned by the increased level of violence, particularly in Ciudad Juarez and Tijuana, and the impact that it is having on the communities on both sides of the border," it said.
"The president is firmly committed to ensuring our borders are secure and we are doing all we can to reduce illegal flows in both direction across the border," it added.
Highlights of the plan include the Obama administration's budget of 700 million US dollars this year to work in collaboration with Mexico on law enforcement and courts.
The Departments of Justice, Homeland Security, and Treasury are increasing personnel and efforts directed at the border.
Meanwhile, the Obama administration will renew the commitment to reduce the demand for illegal drugs in the United States.
The plan was unveiled by Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and her deputy Jim Steinberg, as well as Deputy Attorney General David Ogden.
So far this year, there have been about 1,000 people killed in drug-related violence in Mexico along the border, following 2008's death toll of 5,800.
The spillover of the violence into the US has prompted American politicians to urge the Obama administration to take a strong response.
(Xinhua News Agency March 25, 2009)