English subtitles for clip: File:7-7-14- White House Press Briefing.webm

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Mr. Earnest: Good
afternoon, everybody.

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It's nice to see all of
your smiling faces

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on this Monday morning.

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I'm joined this morning
by the Secretary

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of Education, Arne Duncan.

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As you know, he's
preparing to have lunch

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with the President and a
handful of teachers

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who are here at the White
House in a few minutes,

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and so we thought we'd
bring him to the briefing

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room while he was here to
talk about some

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of the announcements that were
made

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at the Department of Education
today to make sure

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that we have a good,

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quality teacher in
every classroom.

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So with that, we'll let
Secretary Duncan

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make some opening remarks.

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Then we'll take your
questions and then

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after that we'll move on to our
other business today.

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So, Mr. Secretary.

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Secretary Duncan: 
Thank you, Josh.

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Good morning.

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Over the past couple years
I've had the opportunity

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to meet with literally
hundreds and hundreds

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of fantastic educators
across all 50 states.

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As Josh said, in a few
minutes the President

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and I will meet with a couple
more to talk

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about their experiences.

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Helping all students reach
their full potential

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is quite simply the life
work of America's

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great teachers and principals,
and these educators

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absolutely know the
enormous challenges

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that students growing up
in poverty can face.

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Right now, across the
country, despite teachers'

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and principals' herculean
efforts, students

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from low-income families and
students

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of color often face daunting
achievement gaps.

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On the 2014 NAEP
Assessment, only 24

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percent of students
eligible for free

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lunch were proficient on the 4th
grade math test,

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compared to almost 60 percent
of other students.

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And as everyone here
knows, access

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to great teachers has
far-reaching positive impacts --

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effects for students,
including increased

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achievement levels,
increased likelihood

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of college attendance, and
higher wages

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over their lifetime.

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Other high-performing
countries

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not only understand this
profound truth,

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but more importantly,
they act upon it.

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In South Korea, for
example, according

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to one study, students from
low-income

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families are actually more
likely than students

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from wealthier families to have
access to high-quality teachers.

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But we've struggled with
that here

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in the United States, and today,
race and family

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income too often still predict
students'

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access to excellent educators.

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That is simply
unacceptable

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and we must do better, and do
better together.

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For example, in Louisiana,
the percentage

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of teachers rated effective is
50 percent higher

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in low-poverty, low-minority
schools

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than in high-poverty,
high-minority schools.

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Similarly, in Tennessee, low-poverty,

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low-minority schools have almost
33 percent more teachers

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who are rated highly effective
when compared

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to high-poverty,
high-minority schools.

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And in North Carolina,
highly effective

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teachers are 50 percent more
likely to leave

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a disadvantaged school than a
school of more privilege.

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By no means are
these states alone.

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Actually, far from it.

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And I applaud their
courage in making

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this information public
and transparent.

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Change can only come
when

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we deal openly and honestly with
the facts, and we need more

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states and districts to
challenge the status quo.

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This problem exists
because of systemic

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inequities that
shortchange certain

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schools, communities and
districts

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across the country.

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Teachers and principals
are not the problem,

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and they are absolutely
essential

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elements of the solution.

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They devote their lives to
preparing our students

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for college and careers.

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And we need to provide the
support that they need

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to succeed and stay in
high-need schools

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where their talent and their
commitment

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is so desperately needed.

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Today, in collaboration
with our partners,

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we launched the Excellent
Educators for All Initiative,

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a
three-pronged strategic

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effort to help states and
districts support

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great teachers and principals
to come

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to and stay in high-need schools
and communities.

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First, we're asking states
to submit comprehensive

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plans to ensure progress
towards educator

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equity based on data and input
from teachers,

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districts and community groups,
and to submit that

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to our department by April 2015.

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Second, this fall we'll
use $4.2 million

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to launch the new Educator
Equity Support Network

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to provide states and districts
real-time support

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in developing and
implementing their plans.

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And third, this fall we'll
publish Educator Equity

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profiles to help states

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use data to identify gaps in
access through expert teaching

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for low-income and minority
students, as well

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as high-need schools that are
consistently beating the odds

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and that can serve as examples
for other schools

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across the nation.

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We will update these
profiles every two years,

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using our Civil Rights
Data Collection Project,

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and monitor states'
progress

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towards their goals.

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And we urge states to
publicly report

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their progress on their own
metrics each year,

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encouraging ongoing public
dialogue, input and ideas,

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and revise their
plans as necessary.

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This announcement builds
on months of outreach

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to crucial partners at every
level,

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including an inspiring
conversation hosted

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by the Council of Chief State
School Officers

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with state and civil rights leaders.

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And I want to thank CCSSO
for being

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a fantastic partner.

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We'll keep pushing each
other to be bold,

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to act with urgency, and to meet

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these tough challenges with
thoughtful, creative solutions.

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The simple truth is that
all students deserve

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excellent educators, and
all educators

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deserve our full support.

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To reach these goals,
there are no magic bullets

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or quick fixes, and the
best ideas,

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quite frankly, won't come from
any of us here in Washington.

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We want to help states and
districts

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to be creative in recruiting,
supporting and retaining

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the excellent educators in
high-need schools,

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and we want to encourage them to
involve and listen

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to the teachers and principals
who are doing

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this hard work every single day.

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This is one part of a
larger educational

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equity conversation in which
we're working

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to promote fiscal equity, as
well as equal access

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to high-quality preschool,
rigorous college

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and career-ready coursework,
social and emotional

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support, and fair

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and appropriate school discipline policies.

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Our department won't
require any particular

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approach, but I can share
some common themes that we

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have consistently heard
from fantastic teachers

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and principals across the
nation

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who are doing this work.

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First, great teachers
follow great principals,

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so we should all work to
improve the quality

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and stability of leaders
in high-need schools.

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Second, great teachers
want to work on a team

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with other great teachers
and need time to

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collaborate, so we need to
help provide flexibility

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to allow this to happen.

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Third, great teachers need
extra help and support,

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particularly early on
in their careers,

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so we should provide
high-quality coaching,

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mentorship and
professional learning

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opportunities to teachers
in high-need schools.

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Fourth, great teachers
want to grow and take

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on additional leadership
responsibilities,

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so we need to create
opportunities that

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don't require them to leave
the classroom to advance

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professionally and
have greater impact.

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Fifth, great teachers
absolutely deserve to be

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well paid for these
extra efforts and

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responsibilities, and for
their effectiveness

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in keeping students on track
to succeed

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in college and career.

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And finally, great
teachers and principals

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are in it for the long
haul,

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and we must be as well.

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Meaningful reform will
take tireless work

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and relentless commitment.

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The good news here is that
across the country,

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many people are taking real
action,

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showing real courage and
creativity in working

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to challenge the status quo.

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In Boston, the district is
partnering with Teach Plus

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to recruit and support and
retain teams of effective,

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experienced teachers, and
results for students

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have been pretty profound.

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In Louisiana, the State
Department of Education

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is implementing the TAP
System for teacher

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and student advancement in
66 schools with

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a high concentration of minority
and low-income students.

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Teachers there get intense
support and differential

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compensation, and the
early results

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for those TAP schools are
very promising.

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In fact, the imbalance
between highly effective

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and less effective
teachers has basically

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closed in those schools.

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And finally, in Ohio, the
state has provided

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$15 million in a four-year
grant

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to the Ohio Appalachian
Collaborative to help

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27 rural districts join together
in addressing the unique

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challenges they face in
ensuring

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their teachers have the support
that they need.

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Now, together, let's shape
a conversation that

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is national in scope but
local in its solutions.

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Let's find a way that
supports students

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and educators, and let's keep
working together

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until we make these changes the
reality

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for every single child in the country.

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Thank you.

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I'll stop there and
take any questions.

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Mr. Earnest: Julie,
want to start us off?

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The Press: Thanks, Josh.

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Thank you, Mr. Secretary.

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The NEA seems to be
pinning some

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of its frustration with the
administration's education

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policies on you directly.

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They've voted over the
last couple of days

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to call for your resignation.

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And I'm wondering if you
could respond both

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to that call and also their
broader concerns about

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the administration's policies.

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Secretary Duncan:
Obviously, I try and stay

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out of local union
politics;

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I think most teachers do, too.

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And we've had a very good
working relationship

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with the NEA in the past --
meet every month

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for breakfast with them, have
worked together

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on a national labor management
summit,

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conference every single year.

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They, as you know, elected
a new president,

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and we wish her the best of
luck and look forward

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to working very closely with
them as we move forward.

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Mr. Earnest: Major.

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The Press: Mr. Secretary,
you did not mention tenure

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in your points of emphasis
in this initiative,

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and as you know and commented
on, in California

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they had this sort of earthquake
throughout

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the entire primary school system
with removal of tenure.

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And you were generally
praiseworthy

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of that at the time and
identified that some

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of the students who brought the
suit were victimized by some

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of the things you're trying
to address here.

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Can you talk to us about
how tenure fits into that?

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And when you said earlier
that teachers

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and principals are not
the problem,

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your complimentary reaction to
the tenure decision

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in California suggested some
teachers,

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in fact, are the problem.

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Secretary Duncan:  No.

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00:09:40,813 --> 00:09:42,081
Again, I'll be very, very
clear that

254
00:09:42,081 --> 00:09:44,016
I will always support due
process rights.

255
00:09:44,016 --> 00:09:44,784
That's critically
important.

256
00:09:44,784 --> 00:09:46,285
I will always support
the right to tenure.

257
00:09:46,285 --> 00:09:48,286
We just want that to
be a meaningful bar.

258
00:09:48,287 --> 00:09:49,355
I think there in
California,

259
00:09:49,355 --> 00:09:53,659
I think some folks were getting
tenure after 18 months,

260
00:09:53,659 --> 00:09:55,628
and this should be something
that's earned

261
00:09:55,628 --> 00:09:56,629
by demonstrating effectiveness.

262
00:09:56,629 --> 00:09:58,631
And we think across the
country,

263
00:09:58,631 --> 00:10:00,632
folks can come together -- they
can either litigate

264
00:10:00,633 --> 00:10:02,635
this for the next 10 years all
over the nation,

265
00:10:02,635 --> 00:10:04,637
or we can come together to think
about how we absolutely

266
00:10:04,637 --> 00:10:06,638
support teachers and how we help
make sure

267
00:10:06,639 --> 00:10:08,641
that students are supported as
well.

268
00:10:08,641 --> 00:10:10,642
And those interests should
absolutely be linked,

269
00:10:10,643 --> 00:10:12,645
and we think there's a
common-sense

270
00:10:12,645 --> 00:10:14,646
way to do that and we hope folks
will come together

271
00:10:14,647 --> 00:10:15,648
to work on that together.

272
00:10:15,648 --> 00:10:17,950
The Press: Mr. Secretary,
I'm wondering

273
00:10:17,950 --> 00:10:20,886
how or if these education equity
profiles will

274
00:10:20,886 --> 00:10:23,122
play into states waivers

275
00:10:23,122 --> 00:10:25,123
for No Child Left Behind going forward.

276
00:10:25,124 --> 00:10:27,126
Secretary Duncan: Well,
we'll look

277
00:10:27,126 --> 00:10:28,093
at this going forward.

278
00:10:28,094 --> 00:10:30,096
And again, we just really
want states

279
00:10:30,096 --> 00:10:32,098
to take this very, very
seriously; that if we're serious

280
00:10:32,098 --> 00:10:34,099
about closing achievement gaps,
I keep saying

281
00:10:34,100 --> 00:10:36,102
we have to be serious about
closing opportunity gaps.

282
00:10:36,102 --> 00:10:38,103
And we know how critically
important great

283
00:10:38,104 --> 00:10:40,106
teachers and great principals
are to closing

284
00:10:40,106 --> 00:10:42,108
those gaps and giving
disadvantaged children

285
00:10:42,108 --> 00:10:43,108
a chance to be successful.

286
00:10:43,109 --> 00:10:45,578
So shining a spotlight on
this, having courageous

287
00:10:45,578 --> 00:10:47,847
conversations we think is
very, very important

288
00:10:47,847 --> 00:10:49,848
to going where we need
to as a nation.

289
00:10:49,849 --> 00:10:51,851
The Press: But will you
link it explicitly

290
00:10:51,851 --> 00:10:52,852
to those waivers?

291
00:10:52,852 --> 00:10:54,853
I know that's something
that the department

292
00:10:54,854 --> 00:10:55,855
had talked about before.

293
00:10:55,855 --> 00:10:57,857
Secretary Duncan: We'll
look at this

294
00:10:57,857 --> 00:10:59,858
as a piece of many things we're
considering.

295
00:10:59,859 --> 00:11:01,861
But again, having states
focus on this and have

296
00:11:01,861 --> 00:11:03,863
public, transparent
conversations about

297
00:11:03,863 --> 00:11:05,865
where they are, where they're
trying

298
00:11:05,865 --> 00:11:07,833
to go, and then publicly, what
progress they're making

299
00:11:07,833 --> 00:11:09,834
towards those goals, we think
this

300
00:11:09,835 --> 00:11:11,170
is a very important exercise for
the nation's undertaking.

301
00:11:11,170 --> 00:11:14,305
The Press: Mr. Secretary,
last month

302
00:11:14,306 --> 00:11:16,976
Governor Jindal of Louisiana
became the fourth governor

303
00:11:16,976 --> 00:11:18,711
to want to pull out of Common Core.

304
00:11:18,711 --> 00:11:20,980
What do you think of
that move on his part?

305
00:11:20,980 --> 00:11:22,882
And how do these new
reforms

306
00:11:22,882 --> 00:11:24,849
you're talking about today
relate to Common Core?

307
00:11:24,850 --> 00:11:26,752
Are they on top of it,
instead

308
00:11:26,752 --> 00:11:28,319
of it, in addition to, or what?

309
00:11:28,320 --> 00:11:29,088
Secretary Duncan: Well,
obviously,

310
00:11:29,088 --> 00:11:31,156
great teachers are essential to
everything we're trying

311
00:11:31,157 --> 00:11:32,158
to do to help students.

312
00:11:32,158 --> 00:11:34,560
So we think it's essential
to moving

313
00:11:34,560 --> 00:11:35,728
education forward as a nation.

314
00:11:35,728 --> 00:11:38,064
Across the country, as we
go into the fall,

315
00:11:38,064 --> 00:11:40,165
over 40 states are moving
forward with higher standards.

316
00:11:40,166 --> 00:11:42,334
We think that's very -- we
think that's fantastic.

317
00:11:42,334 --> 00:11:44,603
We think in Louisiana, the
Governor

318
00:11:44,603 --> 00:11:45,771
is a little bit isolated there.

319
00:11:45,771 --> 00:11:47,238
The state board, the
business community,

320
00:11:47,239 --> 00:11:48,774
teachers are all
moving forward.

321
00:11:48,774 --> 00:11:51,444
Teachers need the support
of their statehouses

322
00:11:51,444 --> 00:11:53,145
to raise the bar.

323
00:11:53,145 --> 00:11:54,747
And again, having high
standards,

324
00:11:54,747 --> 00:11:56,915
telling children the truth about
where they

325
00:11:56,916 --> 00:11:58,951
are in terms of being truly
college- and career-ready,

326
00:11:58,951 --> 00:12:00,319
we think that's absolutely the
right thing

327
00:12:00,319 --> 00:12:01,319
to do for the nation.

328
00:12:01,320 --> 00:12:02,254
The Press: You're sticking
with Common Core?

329
00:12:02,254 --> 00:12:04,090
Secretary Duncan: I've
always been

330
00:12:04,090 --> 00:12:04,857
for high standards.

331
00:12:04,857 --> 00:12:08,661
High standards, that's
what we're about --

332
00:12:08,661 --> 00:12:10,662
truly preparing students for
college and career.

333
00:12:10,663 --> 00:12:11,664
Mr. Earnest: Anita.

334
00:12:11,664 --> 00:12:13,665
The Press: What you're
talking about today

335
00:12:13,666 --> 00:12:15,668
has no congressional component
it sounds like.

336
00:12:15,668 --> 00:12:16,669
Secretary Duncan: 
It does not.

337
00:12:16,669 --> 00:12:18,938
The Press: Is this coming
about because

338
00:12:18,938 --> 00:12:21,140
you asked Congress to do
something they wouldn't do?

339
00:12:21,140 --> 00:12:22,540
This is more of a
pen-and-phone

340
00:12:22,541 --> 00:12:24,543
thing that the President
is looking at?

341
00:12:24,543 --> 00:12:25,544
Or where does
Congress fit in?

342
00:12:25,544 --> 00:12:27,545
Secretary Duncan: Well,
again, we'd love

343
00:12:27,546 --> 00:12:29,548
to partner with Congress on
any and everything we do.

344
00:12:29,548 --> 00:12:31,884
We obviously would have
loved Congress to fix

345
00:12:31,884 --> 00:12:34,186
No Child Left Behind,
which is broken.

346
00:12:34,186 --> 00:12:36,255
To tie back to the
previous question,

347
00:12:36,255 --> 00:12:38,691
one of the unintended
consequence of the No Child Left

348
00:12:38,691 --> 00:12:40,693
Behind law is about 20
states dummied down

349
00:12:40,693 --> 00:12:43,762
their standards to make
politicians look good,

350
00:12:43,762 --> 00:12:46,531
and that was bad for children,
it was bad for education,

351
00:12:46,532 --> 00:12:48,000
it was bad for
the country.

352
00:12:48,000 --> 00:12:50,002
And we want to raise
standards, and we want

353
00:12:50,002 --> 00:12:52,003
to take on this equity
challenge,

354
00:12:52,004 --> 00:12:54,006
this equity agenda in a very
serious way.

355
00:12:54,006 --> 00:12:55,975
In a perfect world, we
would be addressing

356
00:12:55,975 --> 00:12:57,977
this in a bipartisan way with
Congress and fixing

357
00:12:57,977 --> 00:12:58,978
No Child Left Behind.

358
00:12:58,978 --> 00:13:00,979
We stand ready to do that
today, tomorrow,

359
00:13:00,980 --> 00:13:02,181
next week, next month.

360
00:13:02,181 --> 00:13:04,183
But we just can't
continue to wait.

361
00:13:04,183 --> 00:13:06,185
And our children have one
chance

362
00:13:06,185 --> 00:13:08,186
to get a great education, so
we're going to move now.

363
00:13:08,187 --> 00:13:09,188
Mr. Earnest: Peter.

364
00:13:09,188 --> 00:13:11,189
The Press: The plans that
you're asking

365
00:13:11,190 --> 00:13:14,627
the state school chiefs to
submit were really started

366
00:13:14,627 --> 00:13:16,228
under the 2006 law, right?

367
00:13:16,228 --> 00:13:17,228
Secretary Duncan: 
Correct, yes.

368
00:13:17,229 --> 00:13:19,231
The Press: So you are
asking them to update?

369
00:13:19,231 --> 00:13:21,233
Or are there just a lot
of states that never

370
00:13:21,233 --> 00:13:23,234
sent them in in the
first place?

371
00:13:23,235 --> 00:13:25,237
Secretary Duncan:  Well,
I think states submitted

372
00:13:25,237 --> 00:13:27,238
them before -- again,
that's seven,

373
00:13:27,239 --> 00:13:29,241
eight years ago -- so asking
states to come

374
00:13:29,241 --> 00:13:31,242
look at -- be transparent in
their data,

375
00:13:31,243 --> 00:13:32,244
what's working, what's not.

376
00:13:32,244 --> 00:13:33,245
Some places are doing a
great

377
00:13:33,245 --> 00:13:34,246
job of taking this on.

378
00:13:34,246 --> 00:13:36,247
Others aren't taking it
so seriously,

379
00:13:36,248 --> 00:13:38,250
but really giving them a chance
to put their

380
00:13:38,250 --> 00:13:40,252
best foot forward, their best
thinking forward.

381
00:13:40,252 --> 00:13:42,221
And again, the state chief
officers

382
00:13:42,221 --> 00:13:44,223
have been a fantastic partner here.

383
00:13:44,223 --> 00:13:46,224
There's a real level of
courage and commitment,

384
00:13:46,225 --> 00:13:47,226
which makes me very
hopeful

385
00:13:47,226 --> 00:13:48,494
about where we can go.

386
00:13:48,494 --> 00:13:50,496
No one is trying to sweep
this stuff under

387
00:13:50,496 --> 00:13:52,497
the rug, and we want them to
submit their plans and then,

388
00:13:52,498 --> 00:13:55,134
on a forward basis, have
clear metrics,

389
00:13:55,134 --> 00:13:57,269
measure themselves against those
metrics, be transparent

390
00:13:57,269 --> 00:13:59,271
in that, and this be part
of the business

391
00:13:59,271 --> 00:14:01,272
of what they're doing as
we move forward.

392
00:14:01,273 --> 00:14:03,609
The Press: You're also
saying in the documents

393
00:14:03,609 --> 00:14:05,044
that you released earlier
today

394
00:14:05,044 --> 00:14:10,149
that inexperienced teachers
often are in high-need schools.

395
00:14:10,149 --> 00:14:11,250
Secretary Duncan: 
Disproportionately, yes.

396
00:14:11,250 --> 00:14:11,717
The Press: Okay.

397
00:14:11,717 --> 00:14:14,520
So where do you think
inexperienced

398
00:14:14,520 --> 00:14:15,254
teachers should go?

399
00:14:15,254 --> 00:14:17,089
Where should first-year,
second-year teachers --

400
00:14:17,089 --> 00:14:18,357
Secretary Duncan: They
should go everywhere,

401
00:14:18,357 --> 00:14:19,757
and again, we've had amazing,
amazing

402
00:14:19,758 --> 00:14:22,595
first-year teachers, obviously.

403
00:14:22,595 --> 00:14:24,597
But when you just have --
like any team,

404
00:14:24,597 --> 00:14:26,598
you have a diversity of veterans
and some younger

405
00:14:26,599 --> 00:14:27,600
players as well.

406
00:14:27,600 --> 00:14:30,002
So when a school or a
school district or a set

407
00:14:30,002 --> 00:14:32,003
of schools in a
disadvantaged community

408
00:14:32,004 --> 00:14:34,306
has disproportionate
numbers of inexperienced

409
00:14:34,306 --> 00:14:36,308
teachers, that's
not a good thing.

410
00:14:36,308 --> 00:14:37,309
You want a balance on
any team,

411
00:14:37,309 --> 00:14:39,944
and what we're looking for is
to increase effectiveness

412
00:14:39,945 --> 00:14:41,247
in disadvantaged communities.

413
00:14:41,247 --> 00:14:44,849
As a nation, we've had far
too few incentives

414
00:14:44,850 --> 00:14:46,852
and, frankly, lots of
disincentives,

415
00:14:46,852 --> 00:14:48,853
for the hardest working, the
most committed teachers

416
00:14:48,854 --> 00:14:50,856
and principals to go to the
communities

417
00:14:50,856 --> 00:14:51,857
who need the most help.

418
00:14:51,857 --> 00:14:53,992
And we have to,
together, reverse that.

419
00:14:53,993 --> 00:14:55,995
Mr. Earnest: Jon, I'll
give you the last one.

420
00:14:55,995 --> 00:14:56,695
The Secretary has got a
lunch

421
00:14:56,695 --> 00:14:58,030
he's got to get to you may have heard about.

422
00:14:58,030 --> 00:14:59,298
The Press: I didn't hear a
direct

423
00:14:59,298 --> 00:15:00,899
response to Julie's question.

424
00:15:00,899 --> 00:15:03,002
The NEA has directly
called

425
00:15:03,002 --> 00:15:07,272
for your resignation, and the
AFT have said

426
00:15:07,273 --> 00:15:10,242
they appreciate the sentiment
behind that call --

427
00:15:10,242 --> 00:15:12,544
the two, obviously, largest
teachers unions.

428
00:15:12,544 --> 00:15:14,579
I didn't hear a direct
response to that.

429
00:15:14,580 --> 00:15:16,815
And also, is it an
indication that when

430
00:15:16,815 --> 00:15:18,684
it comes to the common
reforms that

431
00:15:18,684 --> 00:15:23,355
you and others have been pushing
over the years, whether

432
00:15:23,355 --> 00:15:25,357
it be on things like tenure
or expanding charter

433
00:15:25,357 --> 00:15:27,358
schools, being able
to remove ineffective

434
00:15:27,359 --> 00:15:29,361
teachers, are the teachers
unions simply,

435
00:15:29,361 --> 00:15:30,362
then, obstacles to reform?

436
00:15:30,362 --> 00:15:31,363
Secretary Duncan: No.

437
00:15:31,363 --> 00:15:33,365
Again, the reality is much
more complex than that.

438
00:15:33,365 --> 00:15:35,334
For example, today in
this announcement,

439
00:15:35,334 --> 00:15:37,335
Randi Weingarten, the head of
the AFT,

440
00:15:37,336 --> 00:15:38,337
is standing with us.

441
00:15:38,337 --> 00:15:39,338
And the NEA is just
finishing

442
00:15:39,338 --> 00:15:41,339
up their convention; were they
not at their convention,

443
00:15:41,340 --> 00:15:43,342
I think they probably would
have stood

444
00:15:43,075 --> 00:15:44,276
And so we agree
on many issues.
0:15:43.342,1193:02:47.295
with us on this.

445
00:15:44,276 --> 00:15:45,477
We disagree occasionally.

446
00:15:45,477 --> 00:15:47,279
Again, I don't get caught
in union politics.

447
00:15:47,279 --> 00:15:49,114
We continue to work very
closely with both

448
00:15:49,114 --> 00:15:51,216
major unions, work very closely
with state unions

449
00:15:51,216 --> 00:15:53,285
as well, and generally,

450
00:15:53,285 --> 00:15:54,687
we've had very good working relationships.

451
00:15:54,687 --> 00:15:56,155
Mr. Earnest:
Mr. Secretary.

452
00:16:01,660 --> 00:16:03,094
Secretary Duncan: 
Thank you.

453
00:16:11,637 --> 00:16:13,005
Mr. Earnest: All right.

454
00:16:13,005 --> 00:16:16,208
I don't have anything at
the top other than

455
00:16:16,208 --> 00:16:18,209
what the Secretary had to
say, so, Julie,

456
00:16:18,210 --> 00:16:19,211
we'll go straight to questions.

457
00:16:19,211 --> 00:16:20,212
The Press: Thanks.

458
00:16:20,212 --> 00:16:21,313
I just wanted to ask about
the reports

459
00:16:21,313 --> 00:16:21,914
about some possible U.S. spying

460
00:16:21,914 --> 00:16:24,449
in Germany, reports
that a German

461
00:16:24,450 --> 00:16:26,585
intelligence employee spied for the U.S.

462
00:16:26,585 --> 00:16:27,986
Are you in a position to
be able

463
00:16:27,986 --> 00:16:29,788
to confirm whether that is accurate?

464
00:16:29,788 --> 00:16:33,525
Mr. Earnest: I'm not in
a position to do that, Julie.

465
00:16:33,525 --> 00:16:36,028
We've seen those reports
and we are aware

466
00:16:36,028 --> 00:16:41,533
that a German citizen was
arrested over the weekend,

467
00:16:41,533 --> 00:16:43,535
alongside the claim that
he was purportedly

468
00:16:43,535 --> 00:16:46,438
working with a U.S. intelligence agency.

469
00:16:48,006 --> 00:16:50,007
The reason I can't comment
on this particular

470
00:16:50,008 --> 00:16:52,010
matter is it involves two
things, and the first

471
00:16:52,010 --> 00:16:55,681
is a pending German law
enforcement investigation.

472
00:16:55,681 --> 00:16:57,683
I would not want to get
ahead of that

473
00:16:57,683 --> 00:17:00,152
or interfere in that investigation.

474
00:17:00,152 --> 00:17:02,154
And additionally, it
obviously goes

475
00:17:02,154 --> 00:17:05,691
to a purportedly direct
intelligence matter

476
00:17:05,691 --> 00:17:06,658
as it relates to the United
States

477
00:17:06,657 --> 00:17:08,459
and that's not something that I
frequently comment

478
00:17:08,460 --> 00:17:09,528
on from the podium here.

479
00:17:09,528 --> 00:17:12,197
What I can say more
generally, though,

480
00:17:12,196 --> 00:17:15,300
is the relationship that the
United States

481
00:17:15,300 --> 00:17:18,369
has with Germany is incredibly
important.

482
00:17:18,369 --> 00:17:21,339
This is a very close
partnership that

483
00:17:21,339 --> 00:17:24,309
we have on a range of security
issues,

484
00:17:24,309 --> 00:17:26,912
including some intelligence issues.

485
00:17:26,912 --> 00:17:29,048
That partnership is built
on respect

486
00:17:29,048 --> 00:17:32,584
and it's built on decades of
cooperation and shared values.

487
00:17:32,584 --> 00:17:35,053
All of those things are
high priorities

488
00:17:35,053 --> 00:17:37,489
not just of this administration
but of this country.

489
00:17:37,489 --> 00:17:39,491
So we're going to work
with the Germans

490
00:17:39,491 --> 00:17:41,493
to resolve this situation
appropriately.

491
00:17:41,493 --> 00:17:43,595
The Press: Chancellor
Merkel said today that

492
00:17:43,595 --> 00:17:45,631
if these reports are true
that it would

493
00:17:45,631 --> 00:17:50,135
be a "clear contradiction of
trust between allies."

494
00:17:50,135 --> 00:17:52,237
Mr. Earnest: That's
obviously a big "if."

495
00:17:52,237 --> 00:17:54,807
The Press: But if this
were to be true,

496
00:17:54,807 --> 00:17:57,009
if this were to be the kind of
spying

497
00:17:57,009 --> 00:17:58,544
and intelligence work that the U.S.

498
00:17:58,544 --> 00:18:00,479
does in a country like
Germany, a close ally,

499
00:18:00,479 --> 00:18:02,514
is that something that
the President

500
00:18:02,514 --> 00:18:05,617
would be comfortable with, given
that his close ally,

501
00:18:05,617 --> 00:18:06,784
Angela Merkel, would
see

502
00:18:06,785 --> 00:18:08,253
it as a clear contradiction of trust?

503
00:18:08,253 --> 00:18:10,556
Mr. Earnest: Look, I
understand the purpose

504
00:18:10,556 --> 00:18:11,590
of the question, but it is
based

505
00:18:11,590 --> 00:18:14,259
on a hypothetical on a matter
that I'm not prepared

506
00:18:14,259 --> 00:18:15,661
to discuss from this standpoint.

507
00:18:15,661 --> 00:18:18,997
But suffice it to say that
doesn't change

508
00:18:18,997 --> 00:18:22,201
the fact that we highly value
the close working

509
00:18:22,201 --> 00:18:24,970
relationship we have with the
Germans on a wide range

510
00:18:24,970 --> 00:18:26,972
of issues, but particularly on
security

511
00:18:26,972 --> 00:18:27,973
and intelligence matters.

512
00:18:27,973 --> 00:18:30,341
That cooperation is very
important to the

513
00:18:30,342 --> 00:18:32,878
national security of the United
States and our allies.

514
00:18:32,878 --> 00:18:34,379
We value that partnership.

515
00:18:34,379 --> 00:18:36,915
Again, it's built on
a lot of shared trust.

516
00:18:36,915 --> 00:18:38,884
It's built on friendship.

517
00:18:38,884 --> 00:18:41,887
And it's built
on shared values.

518
00:18:41,887 --> 00:18:43,688
And we value that
relationship

519
00:18:43,689 --> 00:18:46,091
and that's why we're going to
work through this matter

520
00:18:46,091 --> 00:18:48,092
and ensure that it's resolved
appropriately

521
00:18:48,093 --> 00:18:49,094
with the Germans.

522
00:18:49,094 --> 00:18:51,096
The Press: Is this
something that came

523
00:18:51,096 --> 00:18:53,098
up in the conversation that
the President

524
00:18:53,098 --> 00:18:55,100
had with Chancellor Merkel
on Thursday?

525
00:18:55,100 --> 00:18:57,101
And if not, has he spoken
with her since then

526
00:18:57,102 --> 00:18:59,104
or does he have any plans
to speak with her?

527
00:18:59,104 --> 00:19:01,106
Mr. Earnest: It did not
come up in the call.

528
00:19:01,106 --> 00:19:03,075
The announcement of the
arrest was made

529
00:19:03,075 --> 00:19:05,077
by German law enforcement
officials on Friday.

530
00:19:05,077 --> 00:19:06,078
The call between the
President

531
00:19:06,078 --> 00:19:07,212
and the Chancellor occurred
on Thursday.

532
00:19:07,212 --> 00:19:08,313
The Press: Has he had a
chance to speak with her?

533
00:19:08,313 --> 00:19:09,114
Mr. Earnest: Not
that I know of.

534
00:19:09,114 --> 00:19:10,883
Mark.

535
00:19:10,883 --> 00:19:11,683
The Press: Thanks.

536
00:19:11,683 --> 00:19:14,453
You said that the
President would prepare

537
00:19:14,453 --> 00:19:15,821
a supplemental spending
request

538
00:19:15,821 --> 00:19:17,255
with regard to the border situation.

539
00:19:17,256 --> 00:19:20,425
Exactly how much money
is he going to ask for?

540
00:19:20,425 --> 00:19:22,761
Can you provide some
more details

541
00:19:22,761 --> 00:19:23,862
about that spending request?

542
00:19:23,862 --> 00:19:24,863
Mr. Earnest: I'm not
prepared

543
00:19:24,863 --> 00:19:26,398
to offer more details about
that right now.

544
00:19:26,398 --> 00:19:28,533
I would anticipate that
we'll have an announcement

545
00:19:28,534 --> 00:19:31,904
about this tomorrow, and
at that point we'll have

546
00:19:31,904 --> 00:19:35,173
a lot of details about what
exactly is included

547
00:19:35,173 --> 00:19:36,642
in that supplemental request.

548
00:19:36,642 --> 00:19:38,644
As you know, it's related
to our efforts

549
00:19:38,644 --> 00:19:41,113
to add additional resources to
the border

550
00:19:41,113 --> 00:19:44,082
in the form of immigration
judges, ICE lawyers,

551
00:19:44,082 --> 00:19:47,219
asylum officials and others that
can help us more rapidly

552
00:19:47,219 --> 00:19:51,423
and efficiently process the
immigration cases

553
00:19:51,423 --> 00:19:54,693
that are currently backlogged as
it relates to a surge

554
00:19:54,693 --> 00:19:56,695
that we've seen at the
southwest border.

555
00:19:56,695 --> 00:19:58,830
The Press: And with regard
to the plan to either

556
00:19:58,830 --> 00:20:01,966
move or hire more judges to
handle those situations

557
00:20:01,967 --> 00:20:03,969
along the border, are
there concerns

558
00:20:03,969 --> 00:20:06,705
that you will be displacing
judges from necessary work

559
00:20:06,705 --> 00:20:07,739
elsewhere in the country

560
00:20:07,739 --> 00:20:09,274
and creating backlogs elsewhere?

561
00:20:09,274 --> 00:20:12,377
Mr. Earnest: Well, the
President has talked

562
00:20:12,377 --> 00:20:14,012
about this a little bit already,
but he's directed that

563
00:20:14,012 --> 00:20:16,014
some resources from the
interior be devoted

564
00:20:16,014 --> 00:20:19,318
to the border region.

565
00:20:19,318 --> 00:20:22,988
I know that it is a view
that is shared among

566
00:20:22,988 --> 00:20:27,359
both Democrats and Republicans
that there is work

567
00:20:27,359 --> 00:20:30,028
that we can do to continue to
secure the border.

568
00:20:30,028 --> 00:20:33,699
And processing these cases
through the immigration

569
00:20:33,699 --> 00:20:36,034
system is a part of that.

570
00:20:36,034 --> 00:20:38,036
It also is a part of
our commitment,

571
00:20:38,036 --> 00:20:40,038
this administration's
commitment,

572
00:20:40,038 --> 00:20:42,040
to dealing with these cases in a
humanitarian way;

573
00:20:42,040 --> 00:20:44,676
that there are due process
rights

574
00:20:44,676 --> 00:20:47,044
that are afforded to these
individuals.

575
00:20:47,045 --> 00:20:49,047
The President believes
it's important

576
00:20:49,047 --> 00:20:51,783
for those due process rights to
be respected;

577
00:20:51,783 --> 00:20:56,788
at the same time we should have
a process

578
00:20:56,788 --> 00:20:58,790
that is efficient and that
reflects

579
00:20:58,790 --> 00:21:00,792
the state of U.S. law.

580
00:21:00,792 --> 00:21:02,793
This administration is
committed

581
00:21:02,794 --> 00:21:05,764
to enforcing that law, and if we
can deploy additional

582
00:21:05,764 --> 00:21:07,765
resources and ensure that
this law is being

583
00:21:07,766 --> 00:21:11,570
enforced efficiently, then we're
interested in doing that.

584
00:21:11,570 --> 00:21:13,572
There is an element of
that that the President

585
00:21:13,572 --> 00:21:15,573
can do on his own in terms
of devoting resources

586
00:21:15,574 --> 00:21:17,843
that already exist from the
interior and sending

587
00:21:17,843 --> 00:21:20,178
them to the border areas.

588
00:21:20,178 --> 00:21:22,180
It also is why we're
seeking additional

589
00:21:22,180 --> 00:21:23,915
resources from Congress,
again,

590
00:21:23,915 --> 00:21:26,718
to further supplement the
resources that are being

591
00:21:26,718 --> 00:21:27,786
deployed to solve this problem.

592
00:21:27,786 --> 00:21:29,821
The Press: And just to
confirm, you spoke about

593
00:21:29,821 --> 00:21:31,822
this last week, but the
President

594
00:21:31,823 --> 00:21:34,393
still has no plans to visit the
border specifically during

595
00:21:34,393 --> 00:21:38,030
his trip to that part of the
country later this week.

596
00:21:38,030 --> 00:21:39,097
Mr. Earnest:
That's correct.

597
00:21:39,097 --> 00:21:39,898
Margaret.

598
00:21:39,898 --> 00:21:42,934
The Press: A couple of
quick clean-ups on this.

599
00:21:42,934 --> 00:21:46,071
So what Chancellor Merkel
probably had asked

600
00:21:46,071 --> 00:21:49,041
for is a statement from the U.S. about this.

601
00:21:49,374 --> 00:21:50,976
Is what you just gave
going to serve

602
00:21:50,976 --> 00:21:52,177
as the statement?

603
00:21:52,177 --> 00:21:54,478
Or should we expect in the
coming days

604
00:21:54,479 --> 00:21:56,481
an additional statement that
actually -- I mean,

605
00:21:56,481 --> 00:21:58,016
I know why you can't do it right
now from the podium --

606
00:21:58,016 --> 00:22:02,220
but actually addresses some of
the specific allegations?

607
00:22:02,220 --> 00:22:04,956
Mr. Earnest: As of right
now, I'm not in a positon

608
00:22:04,956 --> 00:22:07,091
to comment any further on
this particular matter.

609
00:22:07,092 --> 00:22:09,461
You're certainly welcome
to ask in the days

610
00:22:09,461 --> 00:22:10,962
ahead and if there's additional
information

611
00:22:10,962 --> 00:22:12,030
that I can share, then I will.

612
00:22:12,030 --> 00:22:16,568
The Press: And on the
announcement tomorrow

613
00:22:16,568 --> 00:22:19,037
about the border stuff,
will that actually

614
00:22:19,037 --> 00:22:20,672
be the supplemental that's
being announced?

615
00:22:20,672 --> 00:22:21,707
Just to clarify, is that
what you're saying,

616
00:22:21,707 --> 00:22:22,374
that it's going to
come tomorrow?

617
00:22:22,374 --> 00:22:23,208
Mr. Earnest: Yes, yes.

618
00:22:23,208 --> 00:22:23,975
The Press: And so all the
details about

619
00:22:23,975 --> 00:22:27,212
how much money, in which
tranches, which subcommittees

620
00:22:27,212 --> 00:22:29,014
or whatever, that's all going
to be addressed

621
00:22:29,014 --> 00:22:30,615
then and you're not able to
talk about it now?

622
00:22:30,615 --> 00:22:32,751
Mr. Earnest: It's a pretty
detailed compilation.

623
00:22:32,751 --> 00:22:34,219
I don't know that it goes
exactly down

624
00:22:34,219 --> 00:22:36,521
to that level, but we will
endeavor to make officials

625
00:22:36,521 --> 00:22:37,923
available to answer those
kinds of questions

626
00:22:37,923 --> 00:22:40,659
when we present the supplemental
request tomorrow.

627
00:22:40,659 --> 00:22:41,927
The Press: A quick
2016 question.

628
00:22:41,927 --> 00:22:43,328
There was a report over
the weekend

629
00:22:43,328 --> 00:22:46,764
suggesting that President Obama
is secretly really

630
00:22:46,765 --> 00:22:48,934
interested in having Elizabeth
Warren as the nominee

631
00:22:48,934 --> 00:22:49,968
and not Hillary Clinton.

632
00:22:49,968 --> 00:22:51,737
I'm just wondering whether
you can address

633
00:22:51,737 --> 00:22:54,673
from the podium whether there's
anything accurate

634
00:22:54,673 --> 00:22:56,875
to that report, or whether he
plans on getting involved

635
00:22:56,875 --> 00:22:59,277
in choosing sides in
the Democratic primary.

636
00:22:59,277 --> 00:23:01,079
Mr. Earnest: At this
point,

637
00:23:01,079 --> 00:23:03,715
it's still in the middle of 2014.

638
00:23:03,715 --> 00:23:06,551
I'm not aware of any
particular positions

639
00:23:06,551 --> 00:23:09,020
or candidates or all that
much thinking,

640
00:23:09,020 --> 00:23:10,355
to be honest with you, that the
President

641
00:23:10,355 --> 00:23:13,492
has done as it relates to the
next presidential election.

642
00:23:13,492 --> 00:23:16,360
So I haven't actually
seen those reports.

643
00:23:16,361 --> 00:23:19,598
But the President has got
a very full plate

644
00:23:19,598 --> 00:23:21,867
in front of him right now in
terms of trying

645
00:23:21,867 --> 00:23:23,534
to move this country forward and
expanding economic

646
00:23:23,535 --> 00:23:24,703
opportunity for
the middle class.

647
00:23:24,703 --> 00:23:27,405
That's what he's
focused on right now.

648
00:23:27,405 --> 00:23:29,206
It's what he will be
focused

649
00:23:29,207 --> 00:23:31,209
on over the course of the next
couple of years.

650
00:23:31,209 --> 00:23:33,345
And if it gets to late
2016 and you guys want

651
00:23:33,345 --> 00:23:34,646
to talk presidential
politics,

652
00:23:34,646 --> 00:23:35,647
maybe we can do that.

653
00:23:35,647 --> 00:23:37,349
Let's move around
a little bit.

654
00:23:37,349 --> 00:23:38,350
Christi.

655
00:23:38,350 --> 00:23:39,216
The Press: Thanks, Josh.

656
00:23:39,217 --> 00:23:40,318
Last week, the President
also asked

657
00:23:40,318 --> 00:23:43,722
for more latitude for DHS and
deportations

658
00:23:43,722 --> 00:23:45,590
of the kids at the border.

659
00:23:45,590 --> 00:23:47,458
Have you gotten any
signals from Senate

660
00:23:47,459 --> 00:23:49,060
Democrats that there is
something

661
00:23:49,060 --> 00:23:50,695
they might be interested in doing?

662
00:23:50,695 --> 00:23:53,031
Mr. Earnest: I'm not in a
position

663
00:23:53,031 --> 00:23:54,698
to talk about the specific
conversations between Senate

664
00:23:54,699 --> 00:23:57,469
Democrats and the White House on
this particular matter.

665
00:23:57,469 --> 00:23:59,538
I would expect, however,
based

666
00:23:59,538 --> 00:24:02,107
on the public comments we've
seen from members of Congress,

667
00:24:02,107 --> 00:24:04,576
both Democrats and Republicans,
that we should

668
00:24:04,576 --> 00:24:06,011
see some bipartisan
support for this.

669
00:24:06,011 --> 00:24:11,817
There is concern about
the urgent humanitarian

670
00:24:11,817 --> 00:24:14,586
situation that we see on
the southwest border.

671
00:24:14,586 --> 00:24:16,588
Giving the Secretary
of Homeland Security

672
00:24:16,588 --> 00:24:19,891
additional authority and
discretion that he can use

673
00:24:19,891 --> 00:24:22,694
to confront that situation
more efficiently,

674
00:24:22,694 --> 00:24:24,863
making sure that we are
acknowledging

675
00:24:24,863 --> 00:24:28,200
the humanitarian issues that are at stake

676
00:24:28,200 --> 00:24:33,572
while also enforcing the law
is a priority.

677
00:24:33,572 --> 00:24:35,573
It's the priority of this
administration,

678
00:24:35,574 --> 00:24:37,576
and if you listen to the public
comments of Democrats

679
00:24:37,576 --> 00:24:38,543
and Republican, it sounds
like

680
00:24:38,543 --> 00:24:39,744
it's a bipartisan priority.

681
00:24:39,744 --> 00:24:43,548
So we're certainly hopeful
that when we're

682
00:24:43,548 --> 00:24:45,717
in a position to be more
specific about what kind

683
00:24:45,717 --> 00:24:49,120
of discretion -- or maybe
I should say it this

684
00:24:49,120 --> 00:24:50,589
way -- when we're in a
position

685
00:24:50,589 --> 00:24:52,591
to be more specific about what
kind of authority we're

686
00:24:52,591 --> 00:24:55,226
seeking for the Secretary of
Homeland Security

687
00:24:55,227 --> 00:24:59,097
to be able to use to confront
this situation,

688
00:24:59,097 --> 00:25:01,099
we're hopeful that the response
will

689
00:25:01,099 --> 00:25:05,437
be, if not unanimous, at least
bipartisan in support

690
00:25:05,437 --> 00:25:07,004
for him getting that authority.

691
00:25:07,005 --> 00:25:09,074
The Press: However it is
that you end up crafting

692
00:25:09,074 --> 00:25:11,009
that, how do you get
around the fact that

693
00:25:11,009 --> 00:25:13,044
there are many Senate Dems who
don't want

694
00:25:13,044 --> 00:25:15,080
to do any little thing without

695
00:25:15,080 --> 00:25:20,619
also doing comprehensive immigration reform?

696
00:25:20,619 --> 00:25:21,418
Mr. Earnest: Well, first
of all,

697
00:25:21,419 --> 00:25:24,089
there's no reason that -- well,
there is one reason

698
00:25:24,089 --> 00:25:26,658
that comprehensive immigration
reform hasn't gotten done,

699
00:25:26,658 --> 00:25:29,127
and that's simply because we've
seen House Republicans

700
00:25:29,127 --> 00:25:31,129
block a compromise proposal that
had already

701
00:25:31,129 --> 00:25:33,130
passed with bipartisan support
in the Senate

702
00:25:33,131 --> 00:25:35,367
from coming to the floor of the
House for a vote.

703
00:25:35,367 --> 00:25:37,769
If that common-sense
bipartisan proposal

704
00:25:37,769 --> 00:25:39,771
that passed the Senate had got
a vote

705
00:25:39,771 --> 00:25:41,773
in the House of Representatives
we're confident it would pass.

706
00:25:41,773 --> 00:25:45,976
So we certainly are
familiar and even

707
00:25:45,977 --> 00:25:50,081
share that sentiment that
action

708
00:25:50,081 --> 00:25:54,119
on a comprehensive immigration
reform proposal is necessary.

709
00:25:54,119 --> 00:25:55,954
What's also necessary,
though,

710
00:25:55,954 --> 00:26:00,457
is that we deal with this urgent
humanitarian situation

711
00:26:00,458 --> 00:26:02,460
that's cropped up in the
last few weeks

712
00:26:02,460 --> 00:26:07,365
in the form of a spike of
illegal migration

713
00:26:07,365 --> 00:26:09,367
from Central American countries.

714
00:26:09,367 --> 00:26:11,369
So what we're seeking is
additional authority

715
00:26:11,369 --> 00:26:13,370
that can be used by the
Secretary of Homeland

716
00:26:13,371 --> 00:26:15,373
Security to deal with
the situation

717
00:26:15,373 --> 00:26:17,375
in a humanitarian way, in a way
that's

718
00:26:17,375 --> 00:26:20,245
in line with our laws, which
means that those who seek

719
00:26:20,245 --> 00:26:23,848
to stay in this country go
through the due process

720
00:26:23,848 --> 00:26:26,418
that supported them through
the immigration courts.

721
00:26:26,418 --> 00:26:28,485
At the same time, there is
a commitment

722
00:26:28,486 --> 00:26:30,989
on the part of this
administration to enforce

723
00:26:30,989 --> 00:26:33,491
the law and to make sure that
everybody in this country

724
00:26:33,491 --> 00:26:36,561
and people in Central American
countries understand

725
00:26:36,561 --> 00:26:38,596
that enforcing the law means
that if you do not have

726
00:26:38,596 --> 00:26:41,866
a legal basis for remaining
in this country

727
00:26:41,866 --> 00:26:44,669
that you'll be returned
to your home country.

728
00:26:44,669 --> 00:26:47,906
And that is also the case
and that's also

729
00:26:47,906 --> 00:26:49,874
one of the reasons that we are
seeking this greater

730
00:26:49,874 --> 00:26:50,875
authority that could be
used

731
00:26:50,875 --> 00:26:52,877
by the Secretary of Homeland Security.

732
00:26:52,877 --> 00:26:53,712
George, I'm going to call
on you even though

733
00:26:53,712 --> 00:26:54,713
your Indians took two of three
from

734
00:26:54,713 --> 00:26:55,413
the Royals this weekend.

735
00:26:55,413 --> 00:26:56,448
(laughter)

736
00:26:56,448 --> 00:26:57,816
The Press: Should have taken three.

737
00:26:57,816 --> 00:26:59,250
Mr. Earnest: You still get the question.

738
00:26:59,250 --> 00:27:01,786
The Press: Okay. Following up on
what you just

739
00:27:01,786 --> 00:27:05,423
said, you say there's an urgent
humanitarian situation.

740
00:27:05,423 --> 00:27:08,026
Are you not at all
concerned about

741
00:27:08,026 --> 00:27:09,427
the optics -- the President

742
00:27:09,427 --> 00:27:11,996
can fly to Texas to raise
political money

743
00:27:11,997 --> 00:27:16,401
but he can't go see this urgent humanitarian situation?

744
00:27:16,401 --> 00:27:17,836
Mr. Earnest: We're not
worried

745
00:27:17,836 --> 00:27:19,070
about those optics, George, and
that's simply

746
00:27:19,070 --> 00:27:21,806
because the President is very
aware of the situation

747
00:27:21,806 --> 00:27:23,942
that exists on the southwest border.

748
00:27:23,942 --> 00:27:25,110
Senior administration
officials

749
00:27:25,110 --> 00:27:26,977
from the Secretary of Homeland
Security to the Secretary

750
00:27:26,978 --> 00:27:31,883
of HHS, top CBP officials,
even some senior

751
00:27:31,883 --> 00:27:32,317
White House officials have
traveled

752
00:27:32,317 --> 00:27:35,320
in the last several weeks to the
southwest border.

753
00:27:35,320 --> 00:27:38,590
What they have
seen is troubling.

754
00:27:38,590 --> 00:27:43,495
We've seen this influx of
illegal migration

755
00:27:43,495 --> 00:27:45,030
from Central America.

756
00:27:45,030 --> 00:27:47,032
What they've also seen,
however, though,

757
00:27:47,032 --> 00:27:53,170
are the efforts of FEMA, working
closely with DHS and HHS

758
00:27:53,171 --> 00:27:54,572
and the Department
of Defense

759
00:27:54,572 --> 00:27:57,941
to set up detention facilities,
to ensure that while

760
00:28:00,979 --> 00:28:03,214
those who were apprehended are
detained

761
00:28:03,214 --> 00:28:04,282
in a humanitarian way.

762
00:28:04,282 --> 00:28:06,051
The law requires that.

763
00:28:06,051 --> 00:28:08,019
And again, this
is something

764
00:28:08,019 --> 00:28:09,220
the administration is committed

765
00:28:09,220 --> 00:28:12,123
to, is enforcing the law.

766
00:28:12,123 --> 00:28:14,125
So the President is well
aware of what's

767
00:28:14,125 --> 00:28:16,127
happening along the
southwest border.

768
00:28:16,127 --> 00:28:18,129
And that is why you've
seen the wide range

769
00:28:18,129 --> 00:28:20,130
of steps from the authority
the President

770
00:28:20,131 --> 00:28:21,866
already has to enforce the law.

771
00:28:21,866 --> 00:28:24,235
You've also seen and we'll
get more details

772
00:28:24,235 --> 00:28:26,538
tomorrow on the request the
President will make

773
00:28:26,538 --> 00:28:28,540
of the Congress to give the
administration additional

774
00:28:28,540 --> 00:28:31,676
resources that can be used
to address this problem.

775
00:28:31,676 --> 00:28:33,578
It's my view, and I
don't think

776
00:28:33,578 --> 00:28:37,014
that this is unreasonable, that
those who share

777
00:28:37,015 --> 00:28:40,485
the President's concern about
this situation

778
00:28:40,485 --> 00:28:42,754
will be supportive of ensuring
that the administration

779
00:28:42,754 --> 00:28:44,789
has the resources
necessary

780
00:28:44,789 --> 00:28:47,425
to deal with this situation.

781
00:28:47,425 --> 00:28:49,427
And those who are
genuinely concerned about

782
00:28:49,427 --> 00:28:52,429
the border more broadly
should also be strongly

783
00:28:52,430 --> 00:28:56,067
supportive of efforts
to make an historic

784
00:28:56,067 --> 00:28:58,470
investment in border
security,

785
00:28:58,470 --> 00:29:02,574
should be supportive of an
effort to level the playing

786
00:29:02,574 --> 00:29:09,948
field for businesses who
hire immigrants.

787
00:29:09,948 --> 00:29:12,183
And those individuals who
say that they're

788
00:29:12,183 --> 00:29:14,185
concerned about the border
should also be supportive

789
00:29:14,185 --> 00:29:16,888
of the kind of compromise,
common-sense

790
00:29:16,888 --> 00:29:18,923
bipartisan proposal that would
be good for the economy

791
00:29:18,923 --> 00:29:19,924
and would reduce the deficit.

792
00:29:19,924 --> 00:29:23,261
So all of those things
are contained

793
00:29:23,261 --> 00:29:25,997
in the common-sense proposal
that passed through the Senate.

794
00:29:25,997 --> 00:29:27,999
And those who are
concerned about

795
00:29:27,999 --> 00:29:30,101
the President's travel this
week should also

796
00:29:30,101 --> 00:29:32,670
be concerned about their
support for a piece

797
00:29:32,670 --> 00:29:34,506
of legislation that would
address so many

798
00:29:34,506 --> 00:29:38,076
of the problems that they claim
to be concerned about.

799
00:29:38,076 --> 00:29:39,410
Viquiera.

800
00:29:39,410 --> 00:29:39,844
The Press: Sure.

801
00:29:39,844 --> 00:29:43,248
So when you say you want
to expand the authority

802
00:29:43,248 --> 00:29:45,750
of the DHS Secretary to deal
with this problem,

803
00:29:45,750 --> 00:29:47,452
I'm assuming you mean expedite
and streamline

804
00:29:47,452 --> 00:29:50,688
the process by which these folks
can be processed. Or do you --

805
00:29:50,688 --> 00:29:51,623
Mr. Earnest:
To make the

806
00:29:51,623 --> 00:29:52,390
process more efficient.

807
00:29:52,390 --> 00:29:52,991
The Press: Okay.

808
00:29:52,991 --> 00:29:55,126
But can you do anything
about the bottom-line

809
00:29:55,126 --> 00:29:57,562
issues here, and that is
these young people

810
00:29:57,562 --> 00:29:59,563
and their families, they come
into the country,

811
00:29:59,564 --> 00:30:01,332
they cannot be turned back
immediately;

812
00:30:01,332 --> 00:30:03,902
they essentially have to be
dispersed either

813
00:30:03,902 --> 00:30:05,904
with family members who already
live here throughout

814
00:30:05,904 --> 00:30:07,305
the country -- they have to be
dispersed

815
00:30:07,305 --> 00:30:07,939
throughout the country.

816
00:30:07,939 --> 00:30:09,107
You can't expedite the
process --

817
00:30:09,107 --> 00:30:12,610
or can you -- to the point where
they never are introduced

818
00:30:12,610 --> 00:30:14,111
into American society and
therefore --

819
00:30:14,112 --> 00:30:17,448
what, some 80, 90 percent of
them never show

820
00:30:17,448 --> 00:30:20,785
up for their judicial hearing.

821
00:30:20,785 --> 00:30:22,053
The Press: Well, Mike,
there

822
00:30:22,053 --> 00:30:23,955
is a -- the law requires -- this
is a law --

823
00:30:23,955 --> 00:30:28,927
this is an anti-trafficking law
that was passed by Congress

824
00:30:28,927 --> 00:30:30,428
in 2008 and signed into
law

825
00:30:30,428 --> 00:30:31,696
by the previous administration.

826
00:30:31,696 --> 00:30:32,930
So we should be clear
about

827
00:30:32,931 --> 00:30:36,034
the law that this administration
is enforcing.

828
00:30:36,034 --> 00:30:39,370
That law mandates
how children

829
00:30:39,370 --> 00:30:43,041
from non-contiguous countries
are treated

830
00:30:43,041 --> 00:30:44,309
in the immigration system.

831
00:30:44,309 --> 00:30:50,581
What we are seeking is for
that process

832
00:30:50,582 --> 00:30:54,018
to be made more efficient.

833
00:30:53,418 --> 00:30:58,156
process can be made more
efficient --
0:30:54.018,1193:02:47.295
And there are a variety of
ways in which that

834
00:30:58,156 --> 00:31:00,358
some of it by exercising
authority that

835
00:31:00,358 --> 00:31:04,796
the administration already has,
and some of it by exercising

836
00:31:04,796 --> 00:31:07,599
authority that the Secretary of
Homeland Security

837
00:31:07,599 --> 00:31:09,333
seeks but doesn't yet have.

838
00:31:09,334 --> 00:31:13,538
The bottom line, though,
is that

839
00:31:13,538 --> 00:31:15,840
the law will be enforced.

840
00:31:15,840 --> 00:31:20,011
And what that means is it
means that these children

841
00:31:20,011 --> 00:31:22,013
who have been apprehended
will go through

842
00:31:22,013 --> 00:31:26,117
the immigration court process
and if they are found

843
00:31:26,117 --> 00:31:28,119
to not have a legal basis for
remaining

844
00:31:28,119 --> 00:31:30,120
in this country, they'll be returned.

845
00:31:33,157 --> 00:31:35,726
I mean, it is fair to say
that it's unlikely

846
00:31:35,727 --> 00:31:38,696
that most of the kids who go
through this process

847
00:31:38,696 --> 00:31:41,966
will not qualify -- it's
unlikely that most

848
00:31:41,966 --> 00:31:44,068
of the kids who go through this
process will qualify

849
00:31:44,068 --> 00:31:48,873
for humanitarian relief, which
is to say that most

850
00:31:48,873 --> 00:31:50,875
of them will not have a legal
basis --

851
00:31:50,875 --> 00:31:53,278
will not be found through that
court process to have a legal

852
00:31:53,278 --> 00:31:55,280
basis to remain in this country.

853
00:31:55,280 --> 00:31:56,414
The Press: The real-world
problem is, is that many

854
00:31:56,414 --> 00:31:59,050
of them don't submit themselves
to the process.

855
00:31:59,050 --> 00:32:01,719
They're never
appear in court.

856
00:32:01,719 --> 00:32:03,821
Mr. Earnest: Well, that's
one of the reasons

857
00:32:03,821 --> 00:32:05,822
that we're seeking these
detention facilities

858
00:32:05,823 --> 00:32:08,793
that actually can house -- that
can house more children

859
00:32:08,793 --> 00:32:10,794
in an humanitarian way, that
we can deal with this

860
00:32:10,795 --> 00:32:12,664
backlog more efficiently.

861
00:32:12,664 --> 00:32:14,666
That's one of the reasons
that we're seeking

862
00:32:14,666 --> 00:32:16,668
additional judges and
asylum officials

863
00:32:16,668 --> 00:32:19,337
and ICE lawyers so that the wait
is not so long,

864
00:32:19,337 --> 00:32:22,407
so that this whole process can
run more efficiently

865
00:32:22,407 --> 00:32:24,942
in a way that is consistent
with our values about

866
00:32:24,942 --> 00:32:26,944
the way that human beings should
be treated,

867
00:32:26,944 --> 00:32:29,414
but also in a way that's
consistent with what

868
00:32:29,414 --> 00:32:31,282
the immigration law requires.

869
00:32:31,282 --> 00:32:33,283
We're committed to
fulfilling the tenets

870
00:32:33,284 --> 00:32:37,121
of that law, and that is
likely to require

871
00:32:37,121 --> 00:32:39,123
some children to be sent back
to their home countries.

872
00:32:39,123 --> 00:32:41,826
That is why we have spoken
in very clear

873
00:32:41,826 --> 00:32:46,964
and candid terms that parents
who are considering putting

874
00:32:46,964 --> 00:32:50,902
their children in the hands of
a criminal

875
00:32:50,902 --> 00:32:53,671
with only the promise that that
child will be welcome

876
00:32:53,671 --> 00:32:57,275
with open arms in America
should not do so.

877
00:32:57,275 --> 00:33:00,778
The journey is dangerous
and the promise

878
00:33:00,778 --> 00:33:02,780
is not one that can be fulfilled.

879
00:33:02,780 --> 00:33:04,782
If those children do not
have a legal basis

880
00:33:04,782 --> 00:33:07,185
for remaining in this country
-- and as I mentioned,

881
00:33:07,185 --> 00:33:09,187
it's unlikely that those
children will

882
00:33:09,187 --> 00:33:14,524
be found to have a -- or
unlikely to qualify

883
00:33:14,525 --> 00:33:17,028
for humanitarian relief --
they'll be sent home.

884
00:33:17,028 --> 00:33:18,329
Chris.

885
00:33:18,329 --> 00:33:19,263
The Press: Thanks, Josh.

886
00:33:19,263 --> 00:33:21,765
I just want to clarify,
and pardon

887
00:33:21,766 --> 00:33:24,902
for looking at it in a different way.

888
00:33:24,902 --> 00:33:26,637
So you're saying most of
these children

889
00:33:26,637 --> 00:33:29,139
who have been in these desperate
situations

890
00:33:29,140 --> 00:33:32,176
will be returned to their homes
in Central America?

891
00:33:32,176 --> 00:33:33,277
That's your estimation?

892
00:33:33,277 --> 00:33:36,848
Because that's not what we
heard, certainly

893
00:33:36,848 --> 00:33:38,750
not in that clear of a statement,

894
00:33:38,750 --> 00:33:40,485
from Secretary Johnson yesterday.

895
00:33:40,485 --> 00:33:42,152
Mr. Earnest: Well, a
couple

896
00:33:42,153 --> 00:33:43,287
of things about this.

897
00:33:43,287 --> 00:33:45,289
First of all, there is due
process,

898
00:33:45,289 --> 00:33:47,291
so we're going to respect that
due process.

899
00:33:47,291 --> 00:33:49,293
So I'm trying to be very
careful about

900
00:33:49,293 --> 00:33:51,294
the way that I'm phrasing what
I'm saying here.

901
00:33:51,295 --> 00:33:56,000
Each case is specific
and will be treated

902
00:33:56,000 --> 00:33:58,503
on a case-by-case basis.

903
00:33:58,503 --> 00:33:59,637
That's the way that
-- that's what

904
00:33:59,637 --> 00:34:00,937
the immigration law requires.

905
00:34:00,938 --> 00:34:03,474
That's why again, we're
seeking additional

906
00:34:03,474 --> 00:34:05,576
judges and lawyers and asylum
officials

907
00:34:05,576 --> 00:34:09,179
who can process these claims
more quickly to make sure

908
00:34:09,179 --> 00:34:12,049
that each case is heard and
given the requisite

909
00:34:12,049 --> 00:34:13,451
amount of attention.

910
00:34:13,451 --> 00:34:16,587
However, based on what we
know about these cases,

911
00:34:16,587 --> 00:34:18,922
it is unlikely that most of
these kids

912
00:34:18,922 --> 00:34:21,258
will qualify for humanitarian relief.

913
00:34:21,259 --> 00:34:23,261
And what that means is it
means they will

914
00:34:23,261 --> 00:34:25,862
not have a legal basis for
remaining in this country

915
00:34:25,862 --> 00:34:27,165
and will be returned.

916
00:34:27,165 --> 00:34:29,132
The Press: We also know
that about

917
00:34:29,132 --> 00:34:31,134
600 minors were ordered deported
each year

918
00:34:31,135 --> 00:34:35,473
from non-border states over the
last decade or so.

919
00:34:35,473 --> 00:34:37,475
Ninety-five were deported
last year, according

920
00:34:37,475 --> 00:34:40,545
to records, even as this
flood from Central America

921
00:34:40,545 --> 00:34:44,148
-- five times more than
two years earlier --

922
00:34:44,148 --> 00:34:46,751
has been pouring across
the southwest border.

923
00:34:46,751 --> 00:34:50,288
So why do you think now
that more children

924
00:34:50,288 --> 00:34:53,458
will be sent back when at least
recent indications

925
00:34:53,458 --> 00:34:55,159
are that that has not
been the case?

926
00:34:55,159 --> 00:34:57,094
Mr. Earnest: Well, because we'll have

927
00:34:57,094 --> 00:35:00,932
additional resources that we can
use in the court system --

928
00:35:00,932 --> 00:35:03,234
additional judges,
additional lawyers,

929
00:35:03,234 --> 00:35:04,235
additional
asylum officers.

930
00:35:04,235 --> 00:35:04,702
The Press: So it's just
the speed

931
00:35:04,702 --> 00:35:05,636
at which things will be moving?

932
00:35:05,636 --> 00:35:07,471
Mr. Earnest: Well, what we
will do is we'll be able

933
00:35:07,472 --> 00:35:10,942
to put in place a -- we'll
be able to add capacity

934
00:35:10,942 --> 00:35:13,811
to the system that will
allow these claims

935
00:35:13,811 --> 00:35:15,813
to be processed more
efficiently.

936
00:35:15,813 --> 00:35:18,182
Again, that is in the best
interest of both

937
00:35:18,182 --> 00:35:20,183
those who are seeking to enforce
the law like this

938
00:35:20,184 --> 00:35:22,186
administration is
committed to doing.

939
00:35:22,186 --> 00:35:23,187
It's also in the
best interest

940
00:35:23,187 --> 00:35:25,890
of the humanitarian concerns
that many people

941
00:35:25,890 --> 00:35:28,759
have about the treatment of
these children.

942
00:35:28,759 --> 00:35:31,529
So additional resources
will allow these

943
00:35:31,529 --> 00:35:33,998
cases to be processed more
efficiently.

944
00:35:33,998 --> 00:35:36,067
The thing that's important
for people

945
00:35:36,067 --> 00:35:40,938
to understand just from a policy
matter is that the overall

946
00:35:40,938 --> 00:35:43,074
apprehensions along the
border

947
00:35:43,074 --> 00:35:49,547
have only risen by a slight amount.

948
00:35:49,547 --> 00:35:50,548
What we have seen,
though,

949
00:35:50,548 --> 00:35:53,017
is we've seen a significant
increase in apprehensions

950
00:35:53,017 --> 00:35:55,953
and processing of children and
individuals

951
00:35:55,953 --> 00:35:58,623
from Central America, that
there's one certain segment

952
00:35:58,623 --> 00:36:01,492
here that accounts for this spike.

953
00:36:01,492 --> 00:36:05,196
The overall levels are not
that far above what

954
00:36:05,196 --> 00:36:06,364
we've seen over the
last few years.

955
00:36:06,364 --> 00:36:07,832
And what we've seen over
the last few years

956
00:36:07,832 --> 00:36:11,002
is a historic low in terms
of apprehensions

957
00:36:11,002 --> 00:36:11,769
at the border.

958
00:36:11,769 --> 00:36:13,537
The Press: You're
talking about outside

959
00:36:13,538 --> 00:36:15,206
of Guatemala, Honduras,
El Salvador?

960
00:36:15,206 --> 00:36:16,574
Mr. Earnest: I'm talking
about -- in terms

961
00:36:16,574 --> 00:36:22,947
of the broader border security
situation, we remain

962
00:36:22,947 --> 00:36:25,316
near the historic lows that
we've been

963
00:36:25,316 --> 00:36:27,317
at for the last several years.

964
00:36:27,318 --> 00:36:28,653
There is, however, a
spike

965
00:36:28,653 --> 00:36:32,055
in this specific population.

966
00:36:32,056 --> 00:36:34,792
And we would like Congress
to give

967
00:36:34,792 --> 00:36:36,961
the administration additional
resources to deal with these

968
00:36:36,961 --> 00:36:39,930
cases more efficiently, while
respecting the basic due

969
00:36:39,931 --> 00:36:43,768
process rights that each
of these individuals has.

970
00:36:43,768 --> 00:36:45,770
But in terms of enforcing
the law against

971
00:36:45,770 --> 00:36:47,772
adults who are apprehended at
the border,

972
00:36:47,772 --> 00:36:49,774
or even adults with children
that are apprehended

973
00:36:49,774 --> 00:36:51,776
at the border, that hasn't
changed either.

974
00:36:51,776 --> 00:36:53,778
And it's important for
people to understand

975
00:36:53,778 --> 00:36:56,613
that the efficiency of that
enforcement process

976
00:36:56,614 --> 00:36:59,951
has also improved, and that
the bottom line

977
00:36:59,951 --> 00:37:02,253
is this administration's
commitment

978
00:37:02,253 --> 00:37:05,222
to enforcing the law at the same
time that we respect

979
00:37:05,222 --> 00:37:07,792
the basic humanitarian needs of
those who are apprehended.

980
00:37:07,792 --> 00:37:09,794
Let me move around
a little bit.

981
00:37:09,794 --> 00:37:10,795
Nadia.

982
00:37:10,795 --> 00:37:12,797
The Press: Josh, what do
you make of the video

983
00:37:12,797 --> 00:37:16,534
over the weekend where the head
of the Islamic

984
00:37:16,534 --> 00:37:18,669
State of Iraq, Abu Bakr
al-Baghdadi,

985
00:37:18,669 --> 00:37:20,904
appeared to be speaking to his
followers in Mosul,

986
00:37:20,905 --> 00:37:22,773
which is the second
largest city in Iraq?

987
00:37:22,773 --> 00:37:24,308
Is he challenging the
U.S.?

988
00:37:24,308 --> 00:37:25,576
And what does it say about

989
00:37:25,576 --> 00:37:27,578
your cooperation with the
Iraqi government?

990
00:37:27,578 --> 00:37:29,814
Mr. Earnest: I've seen the
reports

991
00:37:29,814 --> 00:37:31,048
of that video, Nadia.

992
00:37:31,048 --> 00:37:32,984
We have not at this point
been able

993
00:37:32,984 --> 00:37:35,453
to determine the authenticity
of that video.

994
00:37:35,453 --> 00:37:37,455
So that is something
that's currently

995
00:37:37,455 --> 00:37:39,423
being reviewed by the intel
community

996
00:37:39,423 --> 00:37:40,691
and by the State Department.

997
00:37:40,691 --> 00:37:42,259
Since that video has not
been authenticated,

998
00:37:42,259 --> 00:37:43,361
I'm not in a position to
comment

999
00:37:43,361 --> 00:37:44,261
on it at this point.

1000
00:37:44,261 --> 00:37:46,497
The Press: On another
related matter,

1001
00:37:46,497 --> 00:37:49,966
ISIL mounted an attack across
the --

1002
00:37:49,967 --> 00:37:51,902
in Yemen, across the Saudi border.

1003
00:37:51,902 --> 00:37:54,772
You have been cooperating
with the Yemeni government

1004
00:37:54,772 --> 00:37:57,174
over the years, especially
with the drone attack.

1005
00:37:57,174 --> 00:37:59,910
What does it say now about
this new attack

1006
00:37:59,910 --> 00:38:02,480
since the President says that al
Qaeda leaders

1007
00:38:02,480 --> 00:38:03,147
are on the run?

1008
00:38:03,147 --> 00:38:06,116
Are you reviewing your
assessment

1009
00:38:06,117 --> 00:38:09,086
of their ability now,
especially in Yemen?

1010
00:38:09,086 --> 00:38:11,488
Mr. Earnest: I have not
actually seen

1011
00:38:11,489 --> 00:38:13,591
the reports of the situation
that you're talking about

1012
00:38:13,591 --> 00:38:14,592
so we're going to have to
follow

1013
00:38:14,592 --> 00:38:16,127
up with you on that matter.

1014
00:38:16,127 --> 00:38:18,295
Cheryl.

1015
00:38:18,295 --> 00:38:18,763
The Press: Thanks, Josh.

1016
00:38:18,763 --> 00:38:21,132
There are only a few
legislative

1017
00:38:21,132 --> 00:38:24,535
days left until next month, and
the Highway Trust Fund

1018
00:38:24,535 --> 00:38:25,970
is going to be running
out of money.

1019
00:38:25,970 --> 00:38:28,172
Is there a proposal on
Capitol Hill

1020
00:38:28,172 --> 00:38:31,842
that you've seen to pay for
that, to replenish that fund?

1021
00:38:31,842 --> 00:38:33,244
Mr. Earnest: Well, the
proposal

1022
00:38:33,244 --> 00:38:35,279
that I've seen that I like the
best is the one that

1023
00:38:35,279 --> 00:38:37,014
was put forward by this
administration.

1024
00:38:37,014 --> 00:38:39,617
It is a common-sense
proposal that certainly

1025
00:38:39,617 --> 00:38:41,585
deserves the kind of
bipartisan support

1026
00:38:41,585 --> 00:38:43,587
that unfortunately is all too
rare

1027
00:38:43,587 --> 00:38:44,655
in Washington these days.

1028
00:38:44,655 --> 00:38:46,624
The proposal put forward
by the administration,

1029
00:38:46,624 --> 00:38:48,625
as you know, Cheryl, involves
closing loopholes

1030
00:38:48,626 --> 00:38:52,229
that only benefit the wealthy
and well connected.

1031
00:38:52,229 --> 00:38:54,231
And closing those
loopholes generates

1032
00:38:54,231 --> 00:38:56,434
some revenue that could then be
used to invest

1033
00:38:56,434 --> 00:38:58,436
in the kind of infrastructure
that benefits everybody --

1034
00:38:58,436 --> 00:39:01,072
those at the top, and
middle-class families

1035
00:39:01,072 --> 00:39:02,139
all across the country.

1036
00:39:02,139 --> 00:39:04,975
It also would create a lot
of jobs and would support

1037
00:39:04,975 --> 00:39:07,310
a lot of jobs that are at
risk if the trust

1038
00:39:07,311 --> 00:39:09,980
fund itself is threatened.

1039
00:39:09,980 --> 00:39:11,982
So there are a lot of
reasons that what

1040
00:39:11,982 --> 00:39:14,852
we put forward is a
common-sense proposal.

1041
00:39:14,852 --> 00:39:16,854
We're certainly open to
reviewing

1042
00:39:16,854 --> 00:39:20,890
other proposals that others may
put forward.

1043
00:39:20,891 --> 00:39:23,094
But in terms of how we
think this important

1044
00:39:23,094 --> 00:39:25,096
piece of business should get done,

1045
00:39:25,096 --> 00:39:26,630
we've been pretty clear about
what we think

1046
00:39:26,630 --> 00:39:28,365
is the proper path forward.

1047
00:39:28,365 --> 00:39:29,633
Ed.

1048
00:39:29,633 --> 00:39:30,634
The Press: Josh, one bit
of housekeeping

1049
00:39:30,634 --> 00:39:32,336
on the budget request
on immigration.

1050
00:39:32,336 --> 00:39:33,837
Is it only going
be immigration?

1051
00:39:33,838 --> 00:39:35,039
Or there's talk on the
Hill

1052
00:39:35,039 --> 00:39:36,607
about dealing with wildfires.

1053
00:39:36,607 --> 00:39:38,409
The President has asked
for money

1054
00:39:38,409 --> 00:39:40,978
as well to battle terrorism
overseas,

1055
00:39:40,978 --> 00:39:43,881
these terrorism partnership
funds, et cetera.

1056
00:39:43,881 --> 00:39:45,149
Is this only immigration? Or --

1057
00:39:45,149 --> 00:39:46,517
Mr. Earnest: No, it
will include some

1058
00:39:46,517 --> 00:39:49,453
of these other things, as
well, I believe.

1059
00:39:49,453 --> 00:39:50,187
But we'll have more
details on that tomorrow.

1060
00:39:50,187 --> 00:39:50,421
The Press: Okay.

1061
00:39:50,421 --> 00:39:51,989
You've repeatedly said
this morning

1062
00:39:51,989 --> 00:39:53,357
that the administration is
committed

1063
00:39:53,357 --> 00:39:54,525
to enforcing the law --

1064
00:39:54,525 --> 00:39:55,326
Mr. Earnest:
That's right.

1065
00:39:55,326 --> 00:39:56,694
The Press: -- in the
immigration situation.

1066
00:39:56,694 --> 00:39:58,129
If that's the case, why
couldn't

1067
00:39:58,129 --> 00:39:59,830
your Homeland Security Secretary
say that?

1068
00:39:59,830 --> 00:40:02,232
When asked repeatedly on
NBC yesterday,

1069
00:40:02,233 --> 00:40:03,734
he could not say what you said.

1070
00:40:03,734 --> 00:40:05,669
Mr. Earnest: What the
Homeland Security

1071
00:40:05,669 --> 00:40:08,272
Secretary was very clear
about is our commitment

1072
00:40:08,272 --> 00:40:10,341
to enforcing the law and
making sure --

1073
00:40:10,341 --> 00:40:11,174
The Press: He was asked that
four times,

1074
00:40:11,175 --> 00:40:15,713
and he kept talking about other options.

1075
00:40:15,713 --> 00:40:16,881
Mr. Earnest: He was asked
very directly about

1076
00:40:16,881 --> 00:40:18,315
whether or not this
administration

1077
00:40:18,315 --> 00:40:19,617
is committed to enforcing the
law,

1078
00:40:19,617 --> 00:40:21,519
and that's exactly what we are doing.

1079
00:40:21,519 --> 00:40:21,718
The Press:

1080
00:40:21,719 --> 00:40:22,319
David Gregory:
"Are they going

1081
00:40:22,319 --> 00:40:22,753
to be deported or not?

1082
00:40:22,753 --> 00:40:23,487
Will most of these
children

1083
00:40:23,487 --> 00:40:25,256
we see in this situation be
returned to their homes?"

1084
00:40:25,256 --> 00:40:28,091
The Secretary: "There is
a deportation

1085
00:40:28,092 --> 00:40:29,627
proceeding that has commenced
against

1086
00:40:29,627 --> 00:40:31,262
illegal migrants, including children.

1087
00:40:31,262 --> 00:40:33,597
We are looking at ways to
create additional

1088
00:40:33,597 --> 00:40:36,400
options for dealing with the
children in particular."

1089
00:40:36,400 --> 00:40:38,202
What are those
additional options?

1090
00:40:38,202 --> 00:40:39,870
Is he enforcing the law
or just looking

1091
00:40:39,870 --> 00:40:40,638
for other options?

1092
00:40:40,638 --> 00:40:42,706
Mr. Earnest: Well, as you
know, Ed, what the 2008

1093
00:40:42,706 --> 00:40:44,375
law requires, it requires
some

1094
00:40:44,375 --> 00:40:46,410
very specific handling of
children who are apprehended

1095
00:40:46,410 --> 00:40:49,379
on the border, who originated
in Central American countries.

1096
00:40:49,814 --> 00:40:51,882
And so when he's talking
about additional options,

1097
00:40:51,882 --> 00:40:57,454
he's talking about more
efficiently processing

1098
00:40:57,454 --> 00:40:58,455
them through the system.

1099
00:40:58,455 --> 00:41:00,457
And in some cases that
means sending them back

1100
00:41:00,457 --> 00:41:01,458
to their home country.

1101
00:41:01,458 --> 00:41:03,427
As I pointed out, that
once they go through

1102
00:41:03,427 --> 00:41:05,429
the immigration system, it
is our view that

1103
00:41:05,429 --> 00:41:07,431
it's unlikely that most of
those kids will qualify

1104
00:41:07,431 --> 00:41:08,432
for humanitarian relief.

1105
00:41:08,432 --> 00:41:10,433
If they don't qualify for
that humanitarian

1106
00:41:10,434 --> 00:41:12,436
relief and don't have a legal
basis for remaining

1107
00:41:12,436 --> 00:41:14,438
in this country, they
will be sent back.

1108
00:41:14,438 --> 00:41:16,440
Nobody should make any
mistake about that.

1109
00:41:16,440 --> 00:41:17,007
The Press: How do you
react when

1110
00:41:17,007 --> 00:41:18,542
a Democratic congressman, Henry
Cuellar, from Texas

1111
00:41:18,542 --> 00:41:22,680
said yesterday that he thinks
the President,

1112
00:41:22,680 --> 00:41:24,815
the White House has been one
step behind and you should

1113
00:41:24,815 --> 00:41:27,952
have known months ago that this
crisis was developing,

1114
00:41:27,952 --> 00:41:30,888
and basically suggested you
hadn't done anything?

1115
00:41:30,888 --> 00:41:32,890
Mr. Earnest: This
administration has been

1116
00:41:32,890 --> 00:41:34,892
very proactive as we've
dealt with this situation.

1117
00:41:34,892 --> 00:41:38,127
We have increased the
amount of resources that

1118
00:41:38,128 --> 00:41:40,631
are currently deployed to
our immigration system

1119
00:41:40,631 --> 00:41:44,000
to more efficiently process
the cases by adding judges

1120
00:41:44,001 --> 00:41:46,103
and lawyers and
asylum officials.

1121
00:41:46,103 --> 00:41:48,305
We can more effectively
and efficiently

1122
00:41:48,305 --> 00:41:49,973
process these claims.

1123
00:41:49,974 --> 00:41:52,309
We've also opened up
detention facilities

1124
00:41:52,309 --> 00:41:54,545
to make sure that those
adults who arrive in this

1125
00:41:54,545 --> 00:41:56,547
country that are
accompanied by children

1126
00:41:56,547 --> 00:41:58,549
have a place where they
can stay while

1127
00:41:58,549 --> 00:42:01,652
their immigration process
is playing out.

1128
00:42:01,652 --> 00:42:03,654
And we have improved our
efficiency when

1129
00:42:03,654 --> 00:42:06,824
it comes to apprehending adults
at the border,

1130
00:42:06,824 --> 00:42:10,327
quickly processing their
immigration claims,

1131
00:42:10,327 --> 00:42:13,330
and in most cases sending them
back to the country

1132
00:42:13,330 --> 00:42:14,865
where they originated as well.

1133
00:42:14,865 --> 00:42:16,866
So this administration has
been working

1134
00:42:16,867 --> 00:42:20,704
proactively to deal with what I
think everybody acknowledges

1135
00:42:20,704 --> 00:42:24,341
is a very difficult situation
with the idea

1136
00:42:24,341 --> 00:42:27,645
in mind that it's important to
both respect

1137
00:42:27,645 --> 00:42:29,647
the basic humanitarian needs of
those who show

1138
00:42:29,647 --> 00:42:34,585
up on our southwestern border,
but also to enforce the law.

1139
00:42:34,585 --> 00:42:36,086
The Press: On that
question of proactivity,

1140
00:42:36,086 --> 00:42:37,687
though, the Department of
Homeland Security

1141
00:42:37,688 --> 00:42:40,124
had a contract to bid out as
early as January

1142
00:42:40,124 --> 00:42:42,459
of this year looking for escorts

1143
00:42:42,459 --> 00:42:43,993
to help unaccompanied minors.

1144
00:42:43,994 --> 00:42:47,731
If the administration back
in January

1145
00:42:47,731 --> 00:42:51,268
had a contract out there looking
for escorts to help these

1146
00:42:51,268 --> 00:42:53,470
kids, doesn't that suggest
the administration

1147
00:42:53,470 --> 00:42:56,874
knew there was a wave coming
and was not actually

1148
00:42:56,874 --> 00:43:00,109
proactive if this contract
was out there,

1149
00:43:00,110 --> 00:43:02,112
but yet you still had the
problem developing?

1150
00:43:02,112 --> 00:43:04,114
Mr. Earnest: For questions
about the contract,

1151
00:43:04,114 --> 00:43:05,115
Ed, I'd check with DHS.

1152
00:43:05,115 --> 00:43:06,082
I'm not aware of it.

1153
00:43:06,083 --> 00:43:07,084
The Press: Last one.

1154
00:43:07,084 --> 00:43:09,086
Senator Johnson from
Wisconsin, as you know,

1155
00:43:09,086 --> 00:43:11,087
has had this lawsuit out
there pressing you

1156
00:43:11,088 --> 00:43:13,090
on the health care law,
suggesting

1157
00:43:13,090 --> 00:43:15,092
that lawmakers of both parties
and staffers should

1158
00:43:15,092 --> 00:43:17,094
not have subsidies under the
new health care law.

1159
00:43:17,094 --> 00:43:19,630
It's getting a hearing
in Wisconsin today.

1160
00:43:19,630 --> 00:43:20,631
In addition to that,
you've

1161
00:43:20,631 --> 00:43:22,633
had Speaker Boehner, the
President has pushed back

1162
00:43:22,633 --> 00:43:24,634
on him in terms of his separate
lawsuit

1163
00:43:24,635 --> 00:43:25,903
dealing with executive actions.

1164
00:43:25,903 --> 00:43:27,904
When you see this lawsuit
potentially going

1165
00:43:27,905 --> 00:43:29,873
forward on health care, how
do you react to that?

1166
00:43:29,873 --> 00:43:31,875
Mr. Earnest: Well, I think
that there

1167
00:43:31,875 --> 00:43:33,877
are even some Republican members
of Congress who articulated

1168
00:43:33,877 --> 00:43:37,081
that they both don't agree
with the lawsuit

1169
00:43:37,081 --> 00:43:38,415
that Senator Johnson has put
forward,

1170
00:43:38,415 --> 00:43:40,617
and they also don't believe that
Senator Johnson's

1171
00:43:40,617 --> 00:43:43,821
interpretation of the law is
consistent

1172
00:43:43,821 --> 00:43:45,489
with their interpretation of the law.

1173
00:43:45,489 --> 00:43:47,491
So I know that there
is some Republican

1174
00:43:47,491 --> 00:43:49,493
disagreement about the
wisdom of the lawsuit

1175
00:43:49,493 --> 00:43:51,495
that Senator Johnson
is pursuing.

1176
00:43:51,495 --> 00:43:53,497
What the President
believes is that

1177
00:43:53,497 --> 00:43:55,732
the whole goal of the Affordable
Care Act

1178
00:43:55,733 --> 00:43:59,536
in the first place was to lower
health care costs,

1179
00:43:59,536 --> 00:44:02,473
to expand access to quality,
affordable health

1180
00:44:02,473 --> 00:44:04,908
insurance for every American,

1181
00:44:04,908 --> 00:44:07,277
including those who were
employed by small businesses.

1182
00:44:07,277 --> 00:44:10,247
So we've been very clear
about

1183
00:44:10,247 --> 00:44:12,015
what those goals are.

1184
00:44:12,016 --> 00:44:14,018
And I recognize that there
may be some

1185
00:44:14,018 --> 00:44:16,320
like Senator Johnson who don't
share those goals.

1186
00:44:16,320 --> 00:44:17,321
That's unfortunate.

1187
00:44:17,321 --> 00:44:19,288
But our efforts to enforce
this

1188
00:44:19,289 --> 00:44:23,560
law and to implement this law in
a way that maximizes benefits

1189
00:44:23,560 --> 00:44:25,562
for the American people and
expands access

1190
00:44:25,562 --> 00:44:28,265
to health care is something that
we're moving forward on.

1191
00:44:28,265 --> 00:44:29,266
Major.

1192
00:44:29,266 --> 00:44:31,535
The Press: I know you've
spoken repeatedly

1193
00:44:31,535 --> 00:44:33,504
about due process, but it also
sounds

1194
00:44:33,504 --> 00:44:35,639
as if you've prejudged the due
process outcome.

1195
00:44:35,639 --> 00:44:37,341
Could you address that?

1196
00:44:37,341 --> 00:44:39,810
Mr. Earnest: It would be
inaccurate to interpret

1197
00:44:39,810 --> 00:44:41,812
the comments that I've
made here as an effort

1198
00:44:41,812 --> 00:44:43,313
to prejudge that process.

1199
00:44:43,313 --> 00:44:45,315
We are committed
to the rule of law.

1200
00:44:45,315 --> 00:44:47,551
And as I mentioned I think
to Chris,

1201
00:44:47,551 --> 00:44:50,354
it is important that each of
these cases is adjudicated

1202
00:44:50,354 --> 00:44:52,723
on a case-by-case basis,
evaluating the specific

1203
00:44:52,723 --> 00:44:55,859
claims of individuals who
have been apprehended.

1204
00:44:55,859 --> 00:44:59,897
That said, our general
knowledge about

1205
00:44:59,897 --> 00:45:01,899
those children from Central
America

1206
00:45:01,899 --> 00:45:05,435
that have appeared at the border
in rising numbers over

1207
00:45:05,436 --> 00:45:09,006
the law few weeks -- that our
knowledge, again,

1208
00:45:09,006 --> 00:45:12,408
as a general matter of those
cases, indicates

1209
00:45:12,409 --> 00:45:14,978
that it's unlikely that the
majority of those children

1210
00:45:14,978 --> 00:45:17,581
will qualify for
humanitarian relief.

1211
00:45:17,581 --> 00:45:20,384
So that is just our effort
to convey

1212
00:45:20,384 --> 00:45:24,121
to you as much information as we
have about this situation.

1213
00:45:24,121 --> 00:45:27,391
It is in no way an effort
to prejudge the due

1214
00:45:27,391 --> 00:45:31,995
process that each of these
individuals

1215
00:45:31,995 --> 00:45:32,830
is entitled to.

1216
00:45:32,830 --> 00:45:33,430
The Press: You don't think
there will

1217
00:45:33,430 --> 00:45:37,468
be a practical or even indirect
effect on those who are heading

1218
00:45:37,468 --> 00:45:41,504
to the border to carry
out these due process

1219
00:45:41,505 --> 00:45:43,140
procedures to hear from
the podium that --

1220
00:45:43,140 --> 00:45:46,442
before they even heard most of
them won't

1221
00:45:46,443 --> 00:45:48,412
qualify for humanitarian relief?

1222
00:45:48,412 --> 00:45:49,546
Mr. Earnest: No, I don't.

1223
00:45:49,546 --> 00:45:51,848
I think that the people
that are being sent

1224
00:45:51,849 --> 00:45:53,984
to deal with this problem
are highly trained

1225
00:45:53,984 --> 00:45:55,986
professionals that have a
lot of experience

1226
00:45:55,986 --> 00:45:58,422
in this case law, and that they
will look very carefully

1227
00:45:58,422 --> 00:46:00,624
at the specific claims of
each of these individuals

1228
00:46:00,624 --> 00:46:04,694
and they will carry out
those proceedings

1229
00:46:04,695 --> 00:46:05,696
in accordance with the law.

1230
00:46:05,696 --> 00:46:07,297
That is the instruction
that they've received

1231
00:46:07,297 --> 00:46:13,937
from the President and from the
Secretary of Homeland Security,

1232
00:46:13,937 --> 00:46:16,473
and that's
what we have

1233
00:46:16,473 --> 00:46:17,708
the high expectation that
they will do.

1234
00:46:17,708 --> 00:46:19,710
The Press: Setting aside
whether the President

1235
00:46:19,710 --> 00:46:21,712
goes to the border, is he
prepared

1236
00:46:21,712 --> 00:46:23,714
to say what you have said this
morning and let those

1237
00:46:23,714 --> 00:46:27,250
who might be considering this as
an option in Central America

1238
00:46:27,251 --> 00:46:28,852
know, don't come because
you're likely

1239
00:46:28,852 --> 00:46:31,522
to be sent back and I'm going
to enforce the law?

1240
00:46:31,522 --> 00:46:32,923
I mean, as directly as
you've

1241
00:46:32,923 --> 00:46:33,689
said it here this morning?

1242
00:46:33,690 --> 00:46:34,658
Mr. Earnest: I think the
President

1243
00:46:34,658 --> 00:46:36,827
was pretty direct when he was
asked about this 10 days

1244
00:46:36,827 --> 00:46:40,898
or so ago in an interview with
Mr. Karl's network.

1245
00:46:40,898 --> 00:46:43,467
The Press: He said he
would enforce the law.

1246
00:46:43,467 --> 00:46:44,668
You said something different.

1247
00:46:44,668 --> 00:46:46,670
You said that most of
these cases won't qualify.

1248
00:46:46,670 --> 00:46:48,672
Mr. Earnest: I think that
what he said

1249
00:46:48,672 --> 00:46:50,674
was he said, don't send your
children here, and then

1250
00:46:50,674 --> 00:46:52,776
he went on to explain why
that was the case.

1251
00:46:52,776 --> 00:46:57,814
And that explanation is
in line with our laws.

1252
00:46:57,814 --> 00:47:00,283
And that is -- I mean,
the other thing that

1253
00:47:00,284 --> 00:47:02,286
the President highlighted --
and this is important

1254
00:47:02,286 --> 00:47:04,254
as well -- the President
highlighted that

1255
00:47:04,254 --> 00:47:06,522
what we're talking about is a
very dangerous journey.

1256
00:47:06,523 --> 00:47:09,493
In many cases, this is a
journey that is being

1257
00:47:09,493 --> 00:47:11,728
led by criminal networks that
are seeking

1258
00:47:11,728 --> 00:47:13,730
only to prey upon those who live

1259
00:47:13,730 --> 00:47:16,200
in increasingly desperate situations.

1260
00:47:16,200 --> 00:47:19,535
That is deplorable.

1261
00:47:19,536 --> 00:47:21,538
It's one of the reasons
that the administration

1262
00:47:21,538 --> 00:47:23,540
is also seeking greater
authority to crack down

1263
00:47:23,540 --> 00:47:25,542
on some of those
criminal networks.

1264
00:47:25,542 --> 00:47:27,544
Hopefully, Congress will
give us the ability

1265
00:47:27,544 --> 00:47:30,714
to enforce the law against
those criminal networks

1266
00:47:30,714 --> 00:47:34,284
as well by handing out even
stiffer punishments

1267
00:47:34,284 --> 00:47:37,187
for those who are caught
preying on those

1268
00:47:37,187 --> 00:47:38,755
in a particularly
vulnerable state.

1269
00:47:38,755 --> 00:47:42,259
But our commitment here to
enforcing

1270
00:47:42,259 --> 00:47:48,665
the law and the candid message
that is being delivered

1271
00:47:48,665 --> 00:47:51,535
to families throughout
Central America

1272
00:47:51,535 --> 00:47:54,705
is that they should not entrust
their children

1273
00:47:54,705 --> 00:47:57,407
in the hands of a criminal on
the promise they'll

1274
00:47:57,407 --> 00:47:59,509
be welcomed in the United
States of America.

1275
00:47:59,509 --> 00:48:01,511
The Press: When Julie
was asking you

1276
00:48:01,511 --> 00:48:03,513
about Chancellor Merkel saying
if these allegations

1277
00:48:03,513 --> 00:48:06,850
are true, you volunteered and
said, that's a big "if."

1278
00:48:06,850 --> 00:48:09,453
To my ears, that sounded
like a qualified denial.

1279
00:48:09,453 --> 00:48:11,655
Why don't you just
deny or say what you --

1280
00:48:11,655 --> 00:48:12,589
Mr. Earnest: No, that's
not what it was.

1281
00:48:12,589 --> 00:48:14,558
That's not what it was.

1282
00:48:14,558 --> 00:48:14,858
All I'm saying is --

1283
00:48:14,858 --> 00:48:15,359
The Press: Okay, what was it then?

1284
00:48:15,359 --> 00:48:17,327
Mr. Earnest: It was an
observation about

1285
00:48:17,327 --> 00:48:19,162
her question, which is that it
was predicated

1286
00:48:19,162 --> 00:48:21,665
entirely on a hypothetical.

1287
00:48:21,665 --> 00:48:23,667
Not that it was an
unreasonable question,

1288
00:48:23,667 --> 00:48:24,668
but just that it was
predicated

1289
00:48:24,668 --> 00:48:25,669
on a hypothetical.

1290
00:48:25,669 --> 00:48:27,671
The Press: No, what she
was quoting

1291
00:48:27,671 --> 00:48:30,573
you was the Chancellor of
Germany saying, if this is true,

1292
00:48:30,574 --> 00:48:31,408
it would constitute
a breach

1293
00:48:31,408 --> 00:48:32,808
and of her understanding of a
relationship

1294
00:48:32,809 --> 00:48:34,344
with this country's government.

1295
00:48:34,344 --> 00:48:36,546
That's not a hypothetical,
that's a statement

1296
00:48:36,546 --> 00:48:37,647
from the German Chancellor.

1297
00:48:37,648 --> 00:48:40,417
And then you said
that's a big "if."

1298
00:48:40,417 --> 00:48:42,752
And so I'm just wondering
what's the context

1299
00:48:42,753 --> 00:48:43,754
of the big "if."

1300
00:48:43,754 --> 00:48:45,756
Because it sounded like
what you were saying

1301
00:48:45,756 --> 00:48:47,758
is these allegations are
unlikely

1302
00:48:47,758 --> 00:48:48,759
to be proven true.

1303
00:48:48,759 --> 00:48:50,961
Mr. Earnest: That's not
at all what I'm saying.

1304
00:48:50,961 --> 00:48:53,964
That is an assumption
based on my effort

1305
00:48:53,964 --> 00:48:56,033
to be as candid as
possible with Julie.

1306
00:48:56,033 --> 00:48:58,035
I'm not in a position to
comment on this matter

1307
00:48:58,035 --> 00:49:00,037
at all for the reasons
that I cited earlier.

1308
00:49:00,037 --> 00:49:02,038
This is an intelligence
matter and this

1309
00:49:02,039 --> 00:49:04,041
is a matter that is under
investigation

1310
00:49:04,041 --> 00:49:06,043
by German law enforcement
authorities.

1311
00:49:06,043 --> 00:49:08,045
So I'm not in a position
to comment

1312
00:49:08,045 --> 00:49:09,313
on it from here.

1313
00:49:09,313 --> 00:49:11,481
As it relates to our
relationship with Germany,

1314
00:49:11,481 --> 00:49:14,484
it is a relationship that
is highly valued

1315
00:49:14,484 --> 00:49:16,486
by this country and this
administration

1316
00:49:16,486 --> 00:49:19,288
for a whole variety of reasons,
including the solid

1317
00:49:19,289 --> 00:49:21,458
cooperation and
partnership that

1318
00:49:21,458 --> 00:49:25,729
we have when it comes to our
nation's

1319
00:49:25,729 --> 00:49:29,700
national security and our
intelligence network.

1320
00:49:29,700 --> 00:49:33,002
So we value that strong
working relationship,

1321
00:49:33,003 --> 00:49:35,238
and that is why we're
committed

1322
00:49:35,238 --> 00:49:37,240
to making sure that we
resolve this issue

1323
00:49:37,240 --> 00:49:39,142
with the Germans appropriately.

1324
00:49:39,142 --> 00:49:40,143
Scott.

1325
00:49:40,143 --> 00:49:42,145
The Press: Josh, we had an
immigration judge

1326
00:49:42,145 --> 00:49:43,146
on last week who said that in
some cases

1327
00:49:43,146 --> 00:49:46,516
the deportation hearing for
these unsupported minors

1328
00:49:46,516 --> 00:49:48,919
can take years because
of the backlog.

1329
00:49:48,919 --> 00:49:52,288
And presumably, word of
that is also making

1330
00:49:52,289 --> 00:49:53,657
its way back to
Central America.

1331
00:49:53,657 --> 00:49:56,293
Isn't that undermining the
President

1332
00:49:56,293 --> 00:49:58,729
and the Vice President when they
try to tell parents,

1333
00:49:58,729 --> 00:50:01,431
don't put your kids on this
dangerous journey?

1334
00:50:01,431 --> 00:50:02,899
I mean, even if it's two,
three years they

1335
00:50:02,899 --> 00:50:06,636
are, in fact, being welcomed
to the United States.

1336
00:50:06,636 --> 00:50:09,840
Mr. Earnest: Well, that is
not the --

1337
00:50:09,840 --> 00:50:11,842
let me say a couple of things
about that.

1338
00:50:11,842 --> 00:50:13,844
That is one of the
reasons, again,

1339
00:50:13,844 --> 00:50:17,080
that the President has directed
that additional judges,

1340
00:50:17,080 --> 00:50:20,484
asylum officials and ICE
attorneys be dedicated

1341
00:50:20,484 --> 00:50:22,486
to dealing with the backlog
of cases

1342
00:50:22,486 --> 00:50:24,488
that we're seeing at the border.

1343
00:50:24,488 --> 00:50:26,490
The other thing that's
important for people

1344
00:50:26,490 --> 00:50:28,491
to understand is that we're
prioritizing

1345
00:50:28,492 --> 00:50:30,527
recent apprehensions, and that
means that people

1346
00:50:30,527 --> 00:50:34,097
who are planning to show up in
the next few weeks

1347
00:50:34,097 --> 00:50:38,935
are likely to have their cases
processed pretty

1348
00:50:38,935 --> 00:50:40,103
efficiently
through the system.

1349
00:50:40,103 --> 00:50:43,039
Again, due process
will be respected.

1350
00:50:43,039 --> 00:50:45,842
Basic humanitarian
responsibilities

1351
00:50:45,842 --> 00:50:48,512
that are dictated by the law but
also are part

1352
00:50:48,512 --> 00:50:51,515
of our national values will
also be respected.

1353
00:50:51,515 --> 00:50:52,616
That means that these
children,

1354
00:50:52,616 --> 00:50:55,852
when they arrive, they'll be
housed in a facility

1355
00:50:55,852 --> 00:50:57,287
that's maintained by HHS.

1356
00:50:57,287 --> 00:51:00,823
But this administration is
committed to enforcing

1357
00:51:00,824 --> 00:51:03,760
the law and making sure that
the immigration claims

1358
00:51:03,760 --> 00:51:05,762
of these individuals is
processed quickly

1359
00:51:05,762 --> 00:51:07,764
through the immigration
court system.

1360
00:51:07,764 --> 00:51:09,733
And that's why we're
seeking additional

1361
00:51:09,733 --> 00:51:11,735
judges and lawyers to make
that process

1362
00:51:11,735 --> 00:51:12,469
operate as efficiently as we can.

1363
00:51:12,469 --> 00:51:13,737
The Press: So you're going
to do sort

1364
00:51:13,737 --> 00:51:17,073
of "last in, first out" and
they'll never leave?

1365
00:51:17,073 --> 00:51:18,975
That potentially -- trying
to deal with the backlog?

1366
00:51:18,975 --> 00:51:19,709
Mr. Earnest: I think
it's a little

1367
00:51:19,709 --> 00:51:22,979
bit more complicated than can
be described

1368
00:51:22,979 --> 00:51:26,415
in my introduction to
accounting class.

1369
00:51:26,416 --> 00:51:29,286
But people should
understand

1370
00:51:29,286 --> 00:51:31,388
that those cases will move
efficiently through

1371
00:51:31,388 --> 00:51:34,391
the system, and that's why
we're seeking additional

1372
00:51:34,391 --> 00:51:37,027
resources, so we can both
whittle down that backlog

1373
00:51:37,027 --> 00:51:40,263
but also address the basic
due process claims

1374
00:51:40,263 --> 00:51:42,265
of those who have recently
arrived at the border.

1375
00:51:42,265 --> 00:51:44,267
The Press: Well, and are
you also trying

1376
00:51:44,267 --> 00:51:46,169
to avoid the situation where the
minors are released

1377
00:51:46,169 --> 00:51:46,903
to family members?

1378
00:51:46,903 --> 00:51:49,105
Mr. Earnest: Right,
when those --

1379
00:51:49,105 --> 00:51:51,274
it's my understanding that when
those releases

1380
00:51:51,274 --> 00:51:53,276
take place it's because of the
backlog,

1381
00:51:53,276 --> 00:51:55,444
and so we're trying to both trim
the backlog but also

1382
00:51:55,445 --> 00:51:57,881
to prioritize the handling
of those

1383
00:51:57,881 --> 00:51:59,049
more recent arrivals.

1384
00:51:59,049 --> 00:52:00,050
Jon.

1385
00:52:00,050 --> 00:52:02,052
The Press: Josh, have you
been able

1386
00:52:02,052 --> 00:52:04,054
to get an answer for me yet as
to how many of those that

1387
00:52:04,054 --> 00:52:06,089
are released with the promise of
returning

1388
00:52:06,089 --> 00:52:09,058
to a court date are actually
showing up for their hearing?

1389
00:52:09,059 --> 00:52:11,394
Mr. Earnest: I don't have
a specific number

1390
00:52:11,394 --> 00:52:12,395
in front of me, Jon.

1391
00:52:12,395 --> 00:52:13,396
There are a couple of
things --

1392
00:52:13,396 --> 00:52:15,398
The Press: I've been asking this
for a couple weeks.

1393
00:52:14,631 --> 00:52:15,131
The Press: Is there a
reason why you can't --

1394
00:52:15,131 --> 00:52:15,765
Mr. Earnest:
But there are a couple
0:52:15.398,1193:02:47.295
Mr. Earnest: I know.

1395
00:52:15,765 --> 00:52:17,067
of things that are important for
you to understand.

1396
00:52:17,067 --> 00:52:19,069
The first is, is that if I
did have that number

1397
00:52:19,069 --> 00:52:21,505
here, it would not necessarily

1398
00:52:21,505 --> 00:52:23,773
give you an accurate picture of
what's actually happening.

1399
00:52:23,773 --> 00:52:26,276
Because what we're seeing
is that we've seen

1400
00:52:26,276 --> 00:52:28,511
this recent surge just in the
last few weeks

1401
00:52:28,512 --> 00:52:29,646
of recent arrivals.

1402
00:52:29,646 --> 00:52:33,783
Sometimes, because the
backlog is rather lengthy,

1403
00:52:33,783 --> 00:52:39,623
the notice to appear is,
in some cases,

1404
00:52:39,623 --> 00:52:41,625
a rather lengthy period of time.

1405
00:52:41,625 --> 00:52:44,561
So that would not -- those
who are given a notice

1406
00:52:44,561 --> 00:52:47,297
to appear but did not appear
for their court date,

1407
00:52:47,297 --> 00:52:49,299
that might not necessarily
give you a very accurate

1408
00:52:49,299 --> 00:52:51,468
picture of what
exactly is happening.

1409
00:52:51,468 --> 00:52:53,470
The Press: But it's a
pretty small number, right?

1410
00:52:53,470 --> 00:52:54,471
I mean, not many are
showing

1411
00:52:54,471 --> 00:52:55,472
up for their hearings, right?

1412
00:52:55,472 --> 00:52:57,474
Mr. Earnest: I don't have
the number

1413
00:52:57,474 --> 00:52:58,241
in front of me, Jon, but what we
have --

1414
00:52:58,241 --> 00:52:59,142
The Press: Can you characterize it?

1415
00:52:59,142 --> 00:53:01,611
Or is it closer to 10
percent than 100 percent?

1416
00:53:01,611 --> 00:53:02,245
Mr. Earnest: I think
what the number

1417
00:53:02,245 --> 00:53:03,913
would illustrate, if I had it
in front

1418
00:53:03,914 --> 00:53:06,249
of me, it would illustrate that
the court system

1419
00:53:06,249 --> 00:53:08,285
is not operating as efficiently
as we would like

1420
00:53:08,285 --> 00:53:10,687
it to, particularly in light of
the recent surge

1421
00:53:10,687 --> 00:53:11,855
at the southwest border.

1422
00:53:11,855 --> 00:53:13,256
And that's why we're
seeking additional

1423
00:53:13,256 --> 00:53:14,790
resources to whittle down
that backlog

1424
00:53:14,791 --> 00:53:16,726
to more efficiently deal with
those who have

1425
00:53:16,726 --> 00:53:19,062
been recently apprehended, and
making sure that

1426
00:53:19,062 --> 00:53:20,363
we are enforcing the law.

1427
00:53:20,363 --> 00:53:21,830
The Press: So the L.A. Times

1428
00:53:21,831 --> 00:53:26,469
filed a Freedom of
Information Act

1429
00:53:26,469 --> 00:53:28,471
request and got some of the
numbers for previous

1430
00:53:28,471 --> 00:53:30,473
years, and it showed that
back in 2008

1431
00:53:30,473 --> 00:53:33,743
there were more than 8,000
minors who were sent back,

1432
00:53:33,743 --> 00:53:34,544
who were deported.

1433
00:53:34,544 --> 00:53:37,013
And last year, that number
had fallen

1434
00:53:37,013 --> 00:53:38,281
to less than 2,000.

1435
00:53:38,281 --> 00:53:40,250
I mean, it was almost a
fifth of what it had been.

1436
00:53:40,250 --> 00:53:43,553
Doesn't that show that
what you were saying

1437
00:53:43,553 --> 00:53:46,556
is disinformation when the
smugglers promise

1438
00:53:46,556 --> 00:53:47,791
that they'll be able to stay?

1439
00:53:47,791 --> 00:53:50,093
I mean, effectively, this
administration

1440
00:53:50,093 --> 00:53:51,895
has not really been deporting
minors

1441
00:53:51,895 --> 00:53:52,796
in any significant numbers.

1442
00:53:52,796 --> 00:53:53,562
Mr. Earnest: Well, no,
Jon, what's important

1443
00:53:53,563 --> 00:53:55,632
is the difference between
2008 and the more recent

1444
00:53:55,632 --> 00:53:57,934
statistics that you're
citing is the passage

1445
00:53:57,934 --> 00:53:59,970
of that law by Congress in
2008 that

1446
00:53:59,970 --> 00:54:02,571
was signed into law by the
previous President.

1447
00:54:02,572 --> 00:54:04,874
And what that law mandated
was a difference

1448
00:54:04,874 --> 00:54:07,042
in the way that children who
arrive in this

1449
00:54:07,043 --> 00:54:10,213
country from non-contiguous
countries are treated

1450
00:54:10,213 --> 00:54:11,214
in the immigration system.

1451
00:54:11,214 --> 00:54:16,086
So the numbers that you
cite reflect,

1452
00:54:16,086 --> 00:54:20,256
or at least are the consequence
of this administration's

1453
00:54:20,256 --> 00:54:22,491
consistent commitment
for enforcing the law.

1454
00:54:22,492 --> 00:54:25,562
What we are seeking is
greater authority

1455
00:54:25,562 --> 00:54:28,464
for the Secretary of Homeland
Security to exercise

1456
00:54:28,465 --> 00:54:31,901
some discretion that would
allow him to make

1457
00:54:31,901 --> 00:54:34,004
that process more efficient,
and in some

1458
00:54:34,004 --> 00:54:40,210
cases more quickly and promptly
remove some children

1459
00:54:40,210 --> 00:54:42,212
from this country if it is
found that they

1460
00:54:42,212 --> 00:54:45,882
don't have -- that they don't
qualify for humanitarian relief.

1461
00:54:45,882 --> 00:54:48,351
So understanding those
numbers

1462
00:54:48,351 --> 00:54:53,923
that were presented in the Times
this morning requires

1463
00:54:53,923 --> 00:54:55,491
someone to take into
account

1464
00:54:55,492 --> 00:54:58,728
what the enforcement of
the law requires.

1465
00:54:58,728 --> 00:55:02,732
And what that law required
was a longer process

1466
00:55:02,732 --> 00:55:04,968
for adjudicating the cases
of these children

1467
00:55:04,968 --> 00:55:06,469
from non-contiguous countries.

1468
00:55:06,469 --> 00:55:07,704
The Press: But the bottom
line is --

1469
00:55:07,704 --> 00:55:10,173
what it shows is that minors
that are coming

1470
00:55:10,173 --> 00:55:12,908
into this country illegally, by
and large, have been able

1471
00:55:12,909 --> 00:55:17,013
to stay because there have been
so few deportations.

1472
00:55:17,013 --> 00:55:18,014
I mean, you may blame

1473
00:55:18,014 --> 00:55:20,016
it on the law, others may blame
it on lax enforcement.

1474
00:55:20,016 --> 00:55:22,018
Mr. Earnest: Jon, I'm not
blaming it on the law.

1475
00:55:22,018 --> 00:55:24,020
I'm merely citing that
this is what

1476
00:55:24,020 --> 00:55:25,021
the law requires.

1477
00:55:25,021 --> 00:55:27,023
There are some suggestions
from our opponents

1478
00:55:27,023 --> 00:55:29,025
that the problem here is the
President

1479
00:55:29,025 --> 00:55:30,026
is not enforcing the law.

1480
00:55:30,026 --> 00:55:32,194
The fact is, the President
is enforcing the law.

1481
00:55:32,195 --> 00:55:34,197
And what we are seeking is
greater authority

1482
00:55:34,197 --> 00:55:37,000
to more effectively enforce that
law that would allow

1483
00:55:37,000 --> 00:55:40,637
the administration to act more
quickly in some cases

1484
00:55:40,637 --> 00:55:42,739
to return children from
the country where

1485
00:55:42,739 --> 00:55:44,741
they originated if it's found
that they don't have

1486
00:55:44,741 --> 00:55:46,743
a legal standing for
remaining here.

1487
00:55:46,743 --> 00:55:48,745
The Press: And could I ask
-- I've got a question

1488
00:55:48,745 --> 00:55:49,746
on another subject.

1489
00:55:49,746 --> 00:55:51,915
If you can remind me that
the President's tweets --

1490
00:55:51,915 --> 00:55:55,185
those tweets that go out
under @BarackObama,

1491
00:55:55,185 --> 00:55:57,187
I understand those that
aren't signed

1492
00:55:57,187 --> 00:55:59,189
BO are not directly written by him.

1493
00:55:59,189 --> 00:56:00,190
Does he even
read the others?

1494
00:56:00,190 --> 00:56:01,458
Does he know
they're going out?

1495
00:56:01,458 --> 00:56:02,826
Are they reviewed by
senior people

1496
00:56:02,826 --> 00:56:03,827
at the White House?

1497
00:56:03,827 --> 00:56:06,796
Or is that just simply OFA
doing something

1498
00:56:06,796 --> 00:56:09,332
on his behalf that he's not even
--

1499
00:56:09,332 --> 00:56:10,700
Mr. Earnest: I suspect you're
going to ask me about a tweet

1500
00:56:10,700 --> 00:56:13,203
from @BarackObama that I may
not have seen,

1501
00:56:13,203 --> 00:56:15,572
but I'm happy to give you some
insight into the process,

1502
00:56:15,572 --> 00:56:17,640
which is that the
@BarackObama Twitter

1503
00:56:17,640 --> 00:56:20,143
handle is maintained
by OFA --

1504
00:56:20,143 --> 00:56:23,947
that is the political
organization that

1505
00:56:23,947 --> 00:56:26,816
was the offshoot of the campaign.

1506
00:56:26,816 --> 00:56:28,817
And that is a Twitter
handle that

1507
00:56:28,818 --> 00:56:31,488
is maintained independent of
the White House.

1508
00:56:31,488 --> 00:56:33,056
The Press: Okay, so the
tweet I'm going

1509
00:56:33,056 --> 00:56:33,890
to ask you about --

1510
00:56:33,890 --> 00:56:35,125
Mr. Earnest: Oh, good, I knew that was coming.

1511
00:56:35,125 --> 00:56:35,892
(laughter)

1512
00:56:35,892 --> 00:56:40,497
The Press: -- is after the Hobby Lobby decision,

1513
00:56:40,497 --> 00:56:43,665
it did a throw-back
Thursday tweet to throw

1514
00:56:43,666 --> 00:56:46,669
back to last week when a woman, not her boss,

1515
00:56:46,669 --> 00:56:48,471
made her own decisions about her health care.

1516
00:56:48,471 --> 00:56:51,307
Does the President believe
that,

1517
00:56:51,307 --> 00:56:54,511
because of the Hobby Lobby
decision, that women

1518
00:56:54,511 --> 00:56:57,313
are not allowed to make their
own decisions about their health

1519
00:56:57,313 --> 00:56:59,315
care unless they consult
with their boss?

1520
00:56:59,315 --> 00:57:01,284
Mr. Earnest: That's
certainly true of women

1521
00:57:01,284 --> 00:57:03,286
in some cases, and that's
the concern

1522
00:57:03,286 --> 00:57:05,655
that this administration has,
that what the Supreme Court

1523
00:57:05,655 --> 00:57:07,557
ruling -- the consequence

1524
00:57:07,557 --> 00:57:11,294
of that Supreme Court ruling is
it will allow bosses

1525
00:57:11,294 --> 00:57:14,163
to interfere with what the
President believes should

1526
00:57:14,164 --> 00:57:16,533
be the freedom that any woman
has to make

1527
00:57:16,533 --> 00:57:18,401
her own decisions about her health care.

1528
00:57:18,401 --> 00:57:19,935
The Press: So he was aware
of that tweet,

1529
00:57:19,936 --> 00:57:20,937
as far as you know?

1530
00:57:20,937 --> 00:57:22,105
Mr. Earnest: I'm not sure
if he was aware

1531
00:57:22,105 --> 00:57:22,438
of that tweet.

1532
00:57:22,438 --> 00:57:22,872
The Press: Were you
aware of that tweet?

1533
00:57:22,872 --> 00:57:23,373
Mr. Earnest: Again,
because

1534
00:57:23,373 --> 00:57:25,041
it was -- because the Twitter
handle is maintained

1535
00:57:25,041 --> 00:57:27,477
independent of the White House,
I was not aware of it.

1536
00:57:27,477 --> 00:57:29,112
But it sounds like based
on your description

1537
00:57:29,112 --> 00:57:32,749
that it is consistent with
a priority

1538
00:57:32,749 --> 00:57:37,553
that the President and this
administration have

1539
00:57:37,554 --> 00:57:39,556
attempted to advance,
which is that women

1540
00:57:39,556 --> 00:57:42,725
should have the freedom to make
their own decisions

1541
00:57:42,725 --> 00:57:45,328
about their health care without
interference

1542
00:57:45,328 --> 00:57:46,729
from their boss.

1543
00:57:46,729 --> 00:57:47,730
Mark.

1544
00:57:47,730 --> 00:57:51,067
The Press: An
Iraq question.

1545
00:57:51,067 --> 00:57:53,603
The administration made
it clear from the very

1546
00:57:53,603 --> 00:57:55,839
beginning during this
latest crisis that

1547
00:57:55,839 --> 00:57:58,441
the priority is for the Iraqis
to form

1548
00:57:58,441 --> 00:57:59,843
an inclusive national government.

1549
00:57:59,843 --> 00:58:02,846
We heard overnight that
the Iraqi parliament

1550
00:58:02,846 --> 00:58:04,147
is not even going to
reconvene

1551
00:58:04,147 --> 00:58:06,649
until August 12th, which is more
than a month from now.

1552
00:58:06,649 --> 00:58:08,317
By all accounts, the
process

1553
00:58:08,318 --> 00:58:10,453
of government formation is paralyzed.

1554
00:58:10,453 --> 00:58:14,357
Is the administration
satisfied with

1555
00:58:14,357 --> 00:58:17,360
the efforts so far of Iraqi
leaders to overcome

1556
00:58:17,360 --> 00:58:18,695
these sectarian issues?

1557
00:58:18,695 --> 00:58:20,830
And what else can the
United States

1558
00:58:20,830 --> 00:58:23,433
do to prod along that process?

1559
00:58:23,433 --> 00:58:26,936
Mr. Earnest: Well, Mark,
I've been pretty candid

1560
00:58:26,936 --> 00:58:28,171
I think over the last couple
of weeks

1561
00:58:28,171 --> 00:58:30,640
in articulating our
disappointment that Iraq's

1562
00:58:30,640 --> 00:58:33,676
political leaders have not been
able to move more quickly

1563
00:58:33,676 --> 00:58:36,913
to unify that country.

1564
00:58:36,913 --> 00:58:39,148
That nation faces an
existential

1565
00:58:39,148 --> 00:58:42,318
threat from ISIL right now.

1566
00:58:42,318 --> 00:58:44,854
And to confront that
threat,

1567
00:58:44,854 --> 00:58:46,856
the country will need to be united.

1568
00:58:46,856 --> 00:58:51,828
This is a message that's
been delivered by a range

1569
00:58:51,828 --> 00:58:53,830
of senior administration
officials,

1570
00:58:53,830 --> 00:58:55,832
particularly the Vice President
who has spent a lot of time

1571
00:58:55,832 --> 00:58:59,903
on the phone with political
leaders in that country.

1572
00:58:59,903 --> 00:59:02,471
We've made clear that
that is a necessary step.

1573
00:59:02,472 --> 00:59:08,244
We've also made clear that
the President

1574
00:59:08,244 --> 00:59:10,747
has made clear that additional
military

1575
00:59:10,747 --> 00:59:15,484
involvement will only be done in
coordination with tangible

1576
00:59:15,485 --> 00:59:17,520
commitments from Iraq's
leaders

1577
00:59:17,520 --> 00:59:22,458
to pursue a more inclusive
governing agenda.

1578
00:59:22,458 --> 00:59:25,261
The reason for that is
that this existential

1579
00:59:25,261 --> 00:59:27,563
threat that's posed by
ISIL certainly

1580
00:59:27,563 --> 00:59:32,468
has a security dimension to it,
but it only highlights

1581
00:59:32,468 --> 00:59:37,807
the degree to which Iraq is
vulnerable

1582
00:59:37,807 --> 00:59:39,042
to sectarian divisions.

1583
00:59:39,042 --> 00:59:42,612
And it will require Iraq's
political leaders

1584
00:59:42,612 --> 00:59:45,281
from each of these major
communities in Iraq --

1585
00:59:45,281 --> 00:59:47,283
the Shia, the Sunni, and the
Kurds --

1586
00:59:47,283 --> 00:59:51,988
to put aside those sectarian
divisions, to put aside

1587
00:59:51,988 --> 00:59:54,290
their own political ambitions in
some cases,

1588
00:59:54,290 --> 00:59:56,326
and put the interest of the
country first.

1589
00:59:56,326 --> 00:59:59,796
And we are urging Iraq's
leaders to do that,

1590
00:59:59,796 --> 01:00:03,499
and quite frankly to do that
more than they have

1591
01:00:03,499 --> 01:00:04,500
in the last few weeks.

1592
01:00:04,500 --> 01:00:06,502
The Press: But it seems as
if they're going

1593
01:00:06,502 --> 01:00:07,103
in the opposite direction.

1594
01:00:07,103 --> 01:00:07,971
Vice President Biden
calls,

1595
01:00:07,971 --> 01:00:11,274
and rather than move up their
date for convening parliament,

1596
01:00:11,274 --> 01:00:12,174
they're moving it back.

1597
01:00:12,175 --> 01:00:15,845
So are they brushing aside
what

1598
01:00:15,845 --> 01:00:17,913
your urgent advice is?

1599
01:00:17,914 --> 01:00:19,082
Mr. Earnest: I think
that we've seen some

1600
01:00:19,082 --> 01:00:21,116
constructive words from
other leading

1601
01:00:21,117 --> 01:00:22,118
members of Iraq society.

1602
01:00:22,118 --> 01:00:28,691
We saw a representative
of the Grand Ayatollah

1603
01:00:28,691 --> 01:00:31,694
Sistani comment and
urge Iraq's political

1604
01:00:31,694 --> 01:00:34,163
leadership to do the
same thing

1605
01:00:34,163 --> 01:00:36,699
that this administration has
been urging them to do.

1606
01:00:36,699 --> 01:00:39,268
We've seen other countries
in the region

1607
01:00:39,268 --> 01:00:41,604
urge Iraq's political leaders to
come together

1608
01:00:41,604 --> 01:00:43,106
and unify that country.

1609
01:00:43,106 --> 01:00:46,175
So I think that there is
widespread agreement

1610
01:00:46,175 --> 01:00:48,644
in the region and around the
world that

1611
01:00:48,644 --> 01:00:52,415
the way in which this problem
can be solved is pretty clear.

1612
01:00:52,415 --> 01:00:54,417
It will require
difficult steps.

1613
01:00:54,417 --> 01:00:55,785
And I don't think anybody
has tried to minimize --

1614
01:00:55,785 --> 01:00:59,122
I certainly haven't tried to
minimize the difficulty

1615
01:00:59,122 --> 01:01:01,024
of making these kinds of
decisions

1616
01:01:01,024 --> 01:01:02,424
and reaching these kinds of agreements.

1617
01:01:02,425 --> 01:01:07,330
But to be blunt about it,
reaching those

1618
01:01:07,330 --> 01:01:10,165
agreements and making those
difficult decisions

1619
01:01:10,166 --> 01:01:12,168
are necessary for Iraq to survive.

1620
01:01:12,168 --> 01:01:13,302
The Press: Thanks, Josh.

1621
01:01:13,302 --> 01:01:14,670
Mr. Earnest: John.

1622
01:01:14,670 --> 01:01:16,305
The Press:
Thank you, Josh.

1623
01:01:16,305 --> 01:01:20,009
I was talking last week
to the other

1624
01:01:20,009 --> 01:01:23,780
Josh from Missouri, Josh Hawley,
who was the co-counsel

1625
01:01:23,780 --> 01:01:25,548
in the Hobby Lobby case.

1626
01:01:25,548 --> 01:01:27,383
He's a Cardinals
fan, by the way.

1627
01:01:27,383 --> 01:01:28,384
Mr. Earnest: Oh,
that's unfortunate.

1628
01:01:28,384 --> 01:01:30,486
The Press: And he noted
that there

1629
01:01:30,486 --> 01:01:34,824
are 50 other cases pending that
involve nonprofits,

1630
01:01:34,824 --> 01:01:36,826
such as Little Sisters of the Poor,

1631
01:01:36,826 --> 01:01:39,128
Wheaton College and others.

1632
01:01:39,128 --> 01:01:41,531
And he said that the
President, with the stroke

1633
01:01:41,531 --> 01:01:44,000
of a pen -- his words --
could set aside

1634
01:01:44,000 --> 01:01:48,104
all these cases with a new
executive order that

1635
01:01:48,104 --> 01:01:55,278
would either circumvent, using
-- strong language

1636
01:01:55,278 --> 01:01:58,881
the previous executive order
on health

1637
01:01:58,881 --> 01:02:03,286
care that's caused all the
cases, or designate

1638
01:02:03,286 --> 01:02:08,157
third parties such as the
government or an insurer

1639
01:02:08,157 --> 01:02:12,628
to handle health care in which
abortion-inducing

1640
01:02:12,628 --> 01:02:13,763
contraceptives
are involved.

1641
01:02:13,763 --> 01:02:15,598
He said it would
end all cases.

1642
01:02:15,598 --> 01:02:16,999
Your comment on that?

1643
01:02:16,999 --> 01:02:18,634
And is the President
considering

1644
01:02:18,634 --> 01:02:20,136
an executive order?

1645
01:02:20,136 --> 01:02:22,271
Mr. Earnest: Well, our
belief, John,

1646
01:02:22,271 --> 01:02:24,907
for handling this situation is
that Congress

1647
01:02:24,907 --> 01:02:26,909
in the Hobby
Lobby decision struck

1648
01:02:26,909 --> 01:02:30,847
down one part of a statute that
was passed by both Houses

1649
01:02:30,847 --> 01:02:33,182
of Congress and signed into
law by the President.

1650
01:02:33,182 --> 01:02:35,484
So our view about the
best way to resolve

1651
01:02:35,485 --> 01:02:43,525
this situation is for
Congress to pass a law.

1652
01:02:43,526 --> 01:02:46,129
I am not naïve about the
difficulty

1653
01:02:46,129 --> 01:02:50,633
that Congress has in taking
steps like this,

1654
01:02:50,633 --> 01:02:53,202
but in this particular matter
our first priority

1655
01:02:53,202 --> 01:02:55,304
for resolving the situation is
the passage

1656
01:02:55,304 --> 01:02:56,372
of a new law through Congress.

1657
01:02:56,372 --> 01:02:58,374
The Press: So no
executive order.

1658
01:02:58,374 --> 01:03:00,375
Mr. Earnest: Well, I think
what I said

1659
01:03:00,376 --> 01:03:02,378
was our first priority is for
Congress to take action,

1660
01:03:02,378 --> 01:03:04,380
and that's what we would like to see.

1661
01:03:04,380 --> 01:03:05,381
Michelle.

1662
01:03:05,381 --> 01:03:08,817
The Press: So we've talked
a lot about the core

1663
01:03:08,818 --> 01:03:10,653
of the immigration problem
right now concerning

1664
01:03:10,653 --> 01:03:13,156
this group of kids is problems
in their home countries,

1665
01:03:13,156 --> 01:03:15,525
but really the problem
for our country

1666
01:03:15,525 --> 01:03:18,394
is that they're able to get past
the border

1667
01:03:18,394 --> 01:03:20,395
and this law that's in place
that caters

1668
01:03:20,396 --> 01:03:21,397
specifically to them.

1669
01:03:21,397 --> 01:03:24,933
Would you agree that that
is our problem right now?

1670
01:03:24,934 --> 01:03:28,104
That that's our root cause
of the humanitarian

1671
01:03:28,104 --> 01:03:29,238
crisis that you've mentioned?

1672
01:03:29,238 --> 01:03:32,008
Mr. Earnest: Well, if we
could enjoy some

1673
01:03:32,008 --> 01:03:34,009
success and cooperation from some of these Central American

1674
01:03:34,010 --> 01:03:36,746
countries that would stem
the tide at the source,

1675
01:03:36,746 --> 01:03:38,748
that certainly would be a
benefit to our country.

1676
01:03:38,748 --> 01:03:40,116
So that's why we're
engaged

1677
01:03:40,116 --> 01:03:43,686
in some pretty intensive diplomacy.

1678
01:03:43,686 --> 01:03:45,688
You've seen just in the
last couple of weeks

1679
01:03:45,688 --> 01:03:47,690
both the Vice President and
the Secretary of State

1680
01:03:47,690 --> 01:03:49,692
traveled to that region to
meet with leaders

1681
01:03:49,692 --> 01:03:53,262
of those countries to try to
deal with the situation there.

1682
01:03:53,262 --> 01:03:55,631
That involves increasing
funding

1683
01:03:55,631 --> 01:03:58,567
for some USAID programs that
would promote community

1684
01:03:58,568 --> 01:04:00,570
development and in
some cases even

1685
01:04:00,570 --> 01:04:03,506
set up repatriation centers to
make it more efficient

1686
01:04:03,506 --> 01:04:06,676
to move children who left
that country

1687
01:04:06,676 --> 01:04:08,311
back to that country.

1688
01:04:08,311 --> 01:04:10,313
It also involves great
cooperation

1689
01:04:10,313 --> 01:04:12,315
with law enforcement officials
that we have

1690
01:04:12,315 --> 01:04:14,317
existing law enforcement relationships

1691
01:04:14,317 --> 01:04:15,318
that can be
leveraged

1692
01:04:15,318 --> 01:04:17,453
to improve citizen security in
those countries.

1693
01:04:17,453 --> 01:04:19,455
So we're engaged in a
variety of efforts,

1694
01:04:19,455 --> 01:04:22,658
some of which are underway in
the home countries

1695
01:04:22,658 --> 01:04:25,294
of those who are seeking
to travel to this one.

1696
01:04:25,294 --> 01:04:27,496
But it is accurate to
point out that there

1697
01:04:27,496 --> 01:04:33,836
is an urgent humanitarian
situation that

1698
01:04:33,836 --> 01:04:37,772
is in full bloom on the U.S. border,

1699
01:04:37,773 --> 01:04:39,775
and that's why
you've seen the deployment

1700
01:04:39,775 --> 01:04:41,777
of additional resources
to try to deal with that.

1701
01:04:41,777 --> 01:04:44,947
The Press: So if enforcing
the law has contributed

1702
01:04:44,947 --> 01:04:46,949
to the crisis -- because we
need to house

1703
01:04:46,949 --> 01:04:49,285
them and deal with them through
the courts --

1704
01:04:49,285 --> 01:04:52,321
wouldn't the President then
advocate for changing that law?

1705
01:04:52,321 --> 01:04:53,589
Or does the administration

1706
01:04:53,589 --> 01:04:56,025
see some humanitarian value in that law?

1707
01:04:56,025 --> 01:04:58,961
Or do you think that
expanding the leeway

1708
01:04:58,961 --> 01:05:01,129
of DHS is going to be enough?

1709
01:05:01,130 --> 01:05:03,666
Mr. Earnest: You're right
that this is basically

1710
01:05:03,666 --> 01:05:06,636
a multifaceted solution
that we're proposing.

1711
01:05:06,636 --> 01:05:08,604
The first is, and we'll
always start with,

1712
01:05:08,604 --> 01:05:11,240
the bedrock requirement that
we're going to enforce

1713
01:05:11,240 --> 01:05:13,008
the law as it exists.

1714
01:05:13,009 --> 01:05:16,145
Now, what we're also
seeking is additional

1715
01:05:16,145 --> 01:05:18,447
authority from Congress
that can be given

1716
01:05:18,447 --> 01:05:20,983
to the Secretary of Homeland
Security to exercise

1717
01:05:20,983 --> 01:05:23,452
some discretion to more
promptly remove

1718
01:05:23,452 --> 01:05:27,156
children who it is found through
the court process

1719
01:05:27,156 --> 01:05:29,158
that they don't have a legal
basis

1720
01:05:29,158 --> 01:05:30,159
for remaining in this country.

1721
01:05:30,159 --> 01:05:32,161
The Press: Doesn't that
law need

1722
01:05:32,161 --> 01:05:33,162
to be changed basically?

1723
01:05:33,162 --> 01:05:35,163
I mean, we already know
that most

1724
01:05:35,164 --> 01:05:37,166
of the kids won't have that
remedy within

1725
01:05:37,166 --> 01:05:38,267
their situations anyway.

1726
01:05:38,267 --> 01:05:42,004
Mr. Earnest: You're right
that it is our expectation

1727
01:05:42,004 --> 01:05:44,540
that after going through
the legal process

1728
01:05:44,540 --> 01:05:46,542
that the majority of these kids
will not qualify

1729
01:05:46,542 --> 01:05:51,013
for humanitarian relief.

1730
01:05:51,013 --> 01:05:52,048
The law that we're
discussing

1731
01:05:52,048 --> 01:05:54,049
is actually an anti-trafficking law.

1732
01:05:54,050 --> 01:05:56,052
There are some important
benefits to this law.

1733
01:05:56,052 --> 01:05:58,654
There are some kids
who are moved through

1734
01:05:58,654 --> 01:06:00,456
trafficking networks from
Asia, for example,

1735
01:06:00,856 --> 01:06:08,664
who need to have the kind of
guarantees and protections

1736
01:06:08,664 --> 01:06:13,469
in terms of ensuring that
due process is followed.

1737
01:06:13,469 --> 01:06:15,171
So that law is important.

1738
01:06:15,171 --> 01:06:18,406
But in light of this
recent surge

1739
01:06:18,407 --> 01:06:20,776
that we've seen from Central
American countries,

1740
01:06:20,776 --> 01:06:23,178
there is additional authority
that could be used

1741
01:06:23,179 --> 01:06:26,182
by the Secretary of Homeland
Security that would allow

1742
01:06:26,182 --> 01:06:29,185
us to enforce that law
more effectively

1743
01:06:29,185 --> 01:06:31,153
in a way that's in the best
interests

1744
01:06:31,153 --> 01:06:33,154
of this country but also in the
best interest

1745
01:06:33,155 --> 01:06:34,156
of those children.

1746
01:06:34,156 --> 01:06:35,157
The Press: Okay.

1747
01:06:35,157 --> 01:06:37,159
And, sorry, last question
-- the supplemental

1748
01:06:37,159 --> 01:06:39,161
request, will that include
a piece for border

1749
01:06:39,161 --> 01:06:41,263
security at all, or is
this all remedy

1750
01:06:41,263 --> 01:06:42,832
once they're past the border?

1751
01:06:42,832 --> 01:06:44,834
Mr. Earnest: Well, the
supplemental request

1752
01:06:44,834 --> 01:06:46,836
that we're seeking principally
focuses

1753
01:06:46,836 --> 01:06:48,837
on these immigration court
resources --

1754
01:06:48,838 --> 01:06:52,608
judges, lawyers, prosecutors,
asylum officials --

1755
01:06:52,608 --> 01:06:54,610
who can make sure that these
cases

1756
01:06:54,610 --> 01:06:56,312
are processed more efficiently.

1757
01:06:56,312 --> 01:06:58,913
The issue right now is
-- I mean,

1758
01:06:58,914 --> 01:07:01,584
I've seen reporting on many of
your networks and outlets

1759
01:07:01,584 --> 01:07:05,888
that a lot of these individuals
who are traveling

1760
01:07:05,888 --> 01:07:09,225
from Central American countries
aren't necessarily

1761
01:07:09,225 --> 01:07:11,227
seeking to get through the
border; in fact,

1762
01:07:11,227 --> 01:07:13,962
they're seeking out Border
Patrol officers so that

1763
01:07:13,963 --> 01:07:18,334
they can be detained and go
through the immigration system.

1764
01:07:18,334 --> 01:07:21,504
So we certainly are
interested

1765
01:07:21,504 --> 01:07:22,938
in making sure that we have the
additional

1766
01:07:22,938 --> 01:07:25,975
resources in place in the
immigration system

1767
01:07:25,975 --> 01:07:29,111
to process those claims more
quickly, and in most

1768
01:07:29,111 --> 01:07:31,212
cases, when we're talking about
adults, that they

1769
01:07:31,213 --> 01:07:33,516
can be returned to their home
country more quickly.

1770
01:07:33,516 --> 01:07:35,484
For those who are
concerned about border

1771
01:07:35,484 --> 01:07:37,486
security -- and I saw that
there were

1772
01:07:37,486 --> 01:07:39,688
a couple of Republicans who
were rather forceful

1773
01:07:39,688 --> 01:07:42,291
in their advocacy for increased
border security

1774
01:07:42,291 --> 01:07:44,293
on a couple of Sunday morning
programs --

1775
01:07:44,293 --> 01:07:46,996
the fact of the matter is,
comprehensive immigration

1776
01:07:46,996 --> 01:07:48,998
reform that passed through
the Senate,

1777
01:07:48,998 --> 01:07:51,000
has being blocked by Republicans
in the House,

1778
01:07:51,000 --> 01:07:55,037
includes a historic investment
in border security.

1779
01:07:55,037 --> 01:07:56,605
So those who claim
that they

1780
01:07:56,605 --> 01:08:05,445
are against comprehensive
immigration reform,

1781
01:08:05,448 --> 01:08:09,384
but yet are committed to
criticizing the President

1782
01:08:09,385 --> 01:08:13,189
for his lack of effort to secure
the border,

1783
01:08:13,189 --> 01:08:16,058
are open to have their motives questioned.

1784
01:08:16,058 --> 01:08:19,127
And I hope that they will
be when they

1785
01:08:19,127 --> 01:08:21,697
do additional interviews on
your networks.

1786
01:08:21,697 --> 01:08:22,264
Thanks, everybody.

1787
01:08:22,264 --> 01:08:22,965
Have a good Monday.