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Obama Concludes Mexican Visit, Heads to Costa Rica


U.S. President Barack Obama and his Mexican counterpart Enrique Pena Nieto walk down a staircase at the National Palace in Mexico City, May 2, 2013.
U.S. President Barack Obama and his Mexican counterpart Enrique Pena Nieto walk down a staircase at the National Palace in Mexico City, May 2, 2013.
U.S. President Barack Obama is set to deliver a speech directed mainly at students Friday in Mexico City, noting the role they can play in their nation's future.

Obama will speak at Mexico's National Anthropology Museum, where is expected to focus on U.S. immigration policy. Later, he will meet privately with a group of Mexican businessmen.

Also Friday, he will travel to Costa Rica where he plans to meet with Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla to discuss bilateral issues ahead of Saturday's Central American Forum on Sustainable Economic Development.

On Thursday in Mexico City, President Obama said the U.S.-Mexican border is more secure now than it has been in years, but that more needs to be done.

Obama held talks in Mexico City with new Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto. The U.S. leader said immigration and security matters constantly overshadow the Mexican and American economies and bog down business relations.

He said the United States is working on common sense immigration reform and is determined to cut the demand for illegal drugs, which contributes to much violence along the shared border.

Obama said U.S. security relations with Mexico will evolve as President Pena Nieto decides how to reform the security structures of his country.

Mexico is one of the largest customers for U.S. goods. President Obama said clearing the way for more jobs and trade is the focus of his visit.

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