WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration on Monday cut hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. It is because thousands of their citizens had sought asylum at the U.S. border with Mexico.

State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said, ‘No funds will be provided until the administration is satisfied the countries are reducing the number of migrants reaching the US border’.

Politicians who opposed the plan said it was cruel to cut off aid to countries grappling with hunger and crime, and the move would be counterproductive because it is more likely increase the number of migrants than decrease it.

Trump’s plan may face stiff opposition in Congress. “As feared, a presidential tantrum will limit our nation’s ability to actually help address the challenges forcing people to flee to the U.S.,” Democratic Senator Bob Menendez said on Twitter. (Agencies)