Mexico City, Mexico - Improving the efficiency of US-Mexico border crossings is "very much on our radar" for todays meetings between President Barack Obama and Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto, a top US administration official reported.

Cecilia Muñoz, director of President Obama's Domestic Policy Council, said that "it was important to both country's security and commerce that border crossings should be handled expeditiously."

"Mexico is one of our biggest trading partners," said Obama’s top domestic policy adviser. "Making sure we have the resources for efficient border-crossing operations is an administration priority."

The American and Mexican presidents are scheduled to meet later today in Mexico City. The trip, Muñoz said, will focus on economic issues, though discussions of border security, drug cartels, and American gun smuggling to Mexico are likely to be discussed, as well.

Texas state officials and border-area business leaders have sought additional federal funding to reduce the waiting time at the Texas-Mexico border, which, they say, discourages economic development.

That message appears to have reached the White House. Muñoz said the issue is "very squarely on our agenda."