Boehner asks Obama to declare stance on border

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker John Boehner is calling on President Barack Obama to declare his support for changing U.S. law to speed removals of migrant kids arriving here from Central America.

In a letter to the president Wednesday, Boehner writes that it is hard to see how Congress can make progress without strong White House support for such reforms.

Boehner points to mixed White House messages about a 2008 law that’s emerged as a sticking point on the border crisis.

The law allows unaccompanied kids from Central America to remain here indefinitely while their court cases progress.

Republicans want to change the law so that kids can be turned around quickly. Immigration advocates are opposed, and after initially indicating support for such changes, the White House never formally pressed for them.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Federal News Network Logo
Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you.

Sign up