The areas in which the countries hope to work together are "border security and law enforcement operations," "information sharing," "asylum and protection capacity" and "promoting investment in El Salvador," according to a Department of Homeland Security statement.

The letter of intent was signed by McAleenan and Salvadoran Minister of Justice and Security Rogelio Rivas on Wednesday.

“I would like to thank President Bukele for his partnership and for hosting me for productive discussions that solidified our commitments to partner on strategies to address irregular migration and target gangs and human smugglers, together," McAleenan said in the statement.

"We share an understanding that our collaborative work can be expanded to the benefit of both of our countries,” he added.

President Trump has frequently invoked crimes committed by gangs to augment support for his immigration policies. He has particularly railed against the MS-13 gang which formed in the U.S. in the 1980s. The gang later became influential in Central America after many of its members were deported to El Salvador.