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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Obama to meet Central American leaders on immigration | Obama to meet Central American leaders on immigration |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| President Barack Obama has met Central American leaders to discuss the plight of the undocumented migrant children flooding across the US border. | |
| The presidents of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador arrived at the White House on Friday. | |
| They were scheduled to explore a potential programme that would give refugee status to youth from Honduras. | |
| More than 50,000 unaccompanied children have been detained trying to cross the southern US border since October. | More than 50,000 unaccompanied children have been detained trying to cross the southern US border since October. |
| "We expect that the solution to this problem also is equal for the three countries," Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina said on Thursday of immigration discussions. | "We expect that the solution to this problem also is equal for the three countries," Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina said on Thursday of immigration discussions. |
| 'Blank cheque' | 'Blank cheque' |
| Mr Molina was joined by Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez and El Salvador President Salvador Sanchez Ceren in the talks. | |
| On the agenda was an initiative in Honduras, which may involve screening children there to determine if they are eligible for refugee status in the US. | |
| Depending on its success, the programme may expand to other Central American nations. | Depending on its success, the programme may expand to other Central American nations. |
| It is the latest immigration effort embarked upon by the Obama administration, which requested $3.7bn (£2.2bn) in emergency spending earlier this month to combat the crisis. | It is the latest immigration effort embarked upon by the Obama administration, which requested $3.7bn (£2.2bn) in emergency spending earlier this month to combat the crisis. |
| The emergency funding request included money for the hiring of extra immigration judges, drone surveillance of the border, medical services and transportation costs, and expanding a border security task force in Central America. | The emergency funding request included money for the hiring of extra immigration judges, drone surveillance of the border, medical services and transportation costs, and expanding a border security task force in Central America. |
| Where the $3.7bn would go | Where the $3.7bn would go |
| Source: White House | Source: White House |
| But Republican lawmakers said they would not give Mr Obama a "blank cheque" to combat the immigration crisis without additional policy changes. | But Republican lawmakers said they would not give Mr Obama a "blank cheque" to combat the immigration crisis without additional policy changes. |
| Instead House Republicans are developing an immigration proposal not to exceed $1.5bn, while Senate Democrats are floating one for $3.6bn to meet increased immigration and security needs. | Instead House Republicans are developing an immigration proposal not to exceed $1.5bn, while Senate Democrats are floating one for $3.6bn to meet increased immigration and security needs. |
| The migrants - mostly from Central America - are believed to be driven north by a spike in gang violence in their home countries and incorrect rumours children will be allowed to stay if they make it across the border. | The migrants - mostly from Central America - are believed to be driven north by a spike in gang violence in their home countries and incorrect rumours children will be allowed to stay if they make it across the border. |
| Also at issue is a 2008 law that grants unaccompanied children from countries that do not border the US an automatic asylum hearing, thereby preventing their immediate removal from the country. | Also at issue is a 2008 law that grants unaccompanied children from countries that do not border the US an automatic asylum hearing, thereby preventing their immediate removal from the country. |
| Republicans have blamed Mr Obama's immigration policy for the crisis, and some in the Congress have called for the repeal of the 2008 asylum law. | Republicans have blamed Mr Obama's immigration policy for the crisis, and some in the Congress have called for the repeal of the 2008 asylum law. |
| Meanwhile, the US president has harshly criticised House Republicans for not holding a vote on an broad immigration bill passed by the Democratic-led Senate last year. | Meanwhile, the US president has harshly criticised House Republicans for not holding a vote on an broad immigration bill passed by the Democratic-led Senate last year. |
| The Central American leaders met members of Congress on Capitol Hill on Thursday as they continue to consider Mr Obama's request for additional funds and authority at the border. | The Central American leaders met members of Congress on Capitol Hill on Thursday as they continue to consider Mr Obama's request for additional funds and authority at the border. |