The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
July 27, 2014

Readout of the President’s Call with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel

President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke again today by phone about the situation in Gaza.  The President underscored the United States’ strong condemnation of Hamas’ rocket and tunnel attacks against Israel and reaffirmed Israel’s right to defend itself.  The President also reiterated the United States’ serious and growing concern about the rising number of Palestinian civilian deaths and the loss of Israeli lives, as well as the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza. 

Building on Secretary Kerry’s efforts, the President made clear the strategic imperative of instituting an immediate, unconditional humanitarian ceasefire that ends hostilities now and leads to a permanent cessation of hostilities based on the November 2012 ceasefire agreement.  The President reaffirmed the United States’ support for Egypt’s initiative, as well as regional and international coordination to end hostilities.  The President underscored the enduring importance of ensuring Israel’s security, protecting civilians, alleviating Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, and enacting a sustainable ceasefire that both allows Palestinians in Gaza to lead normal lives and addresses Gaza’s long-term development and economic needs, while strengthening the Palestinian Authority.  The President stressed the U.S. view that, ultimately, any lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict must ensure the disarmament of terrorist groups and the demilitarization of Gaza.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
July 26, 2014

Statement by Deputy National Security Council Spokesperson Bernadette Meehan on Air Algerie Flight 5071

We extend our deepest and heartfelt condolences to all those who lost loved ones on board Air Algerie’s flight 5071.  We appreciate the close cooperation among the United Nations as well as the governments of France, Mali, the Netherlands, Algeria, Burkina Faso, and others who worked in concert on the swift and coordinated international response to this tragic event.  The victims—as well as their families and loved ones—remain in our prayers and thoughts.

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
July 25, 2014

Readout of the Vice President's Call with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko

Vice President Joe Biden spoke today with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko about the Ukrainian domestic political situation, access for international investigators to the MH-17 crash site, and Russia’s continued supply of arms and supplies to the separatists.   President Poroshenko underscored that despite the dissolution of the governing coalition in Ukraine’s parliament, the government would continue its work to address critical economic reforms.  President Poroshenko updated the Vice President on his conversations with the leaders of the Netherlands, Australia, and Malaysia regarding access to the MH-17 crash site and his efforts to facilitate the conclusion of a rapid international investigation into the tragedy.  President Poroshenko also informed the Vice President that Russia continued to supply heavy weapons and equipment to the separatists, and that Ukrainian troops were increasingly coming under direct fire from positions on the Russian side of the border.  The Vice President informed Poroshenko that the United States would continue to coordinate with the European Union and the G-7 about imposing further costs on Russia for its deeply destabilizing and irresponsible actions in Ukraine. 

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
July 25, 2014

Joint Statement by the Presidents of the United States, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador

The Presidents of the United States, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador issued the following statement at the conclusion of their meeting at the White House on July 25, 2014:

We met today to discuss our ongoing collaboration regarding the increased numbers of unaccompanied minors and adults with children migrating to the United States.  We expressed our shared belief in the need for a humanitarian response to the situation, with a focus on the safety and well-being of children and families. We reiterated our commitment to prevent families and children from undertaking this dangerous journey and to work together to promote safe, legal, and orderly migration.  We pledged to continue to pursue the criminal networks that are exploiting this uniquely vulnerable population and we agreed on the need to discourage the use of smuggling networks that place individuals at high risk of violent crime and sexual abuse along the journey. We reviewed and agreed to redouble our joint efforts to counter misinformation about U.S. immigration policy. We committed to work together on the ongoing efforts to humanely repatriate migrants, consistent with due process.

We expressed our commitment to work together in a spirit of shared responsibility to address the underlying causes of migration by reducing criminal activity and promoting greater social and economic opportunity.  The Presidents of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras welcomed President Obama’s request for additional foreign assistance as part of the supplemental request to Congress to support the U.S. response to the increased migration. The Central American presidents indicated to President Obama that they are working on a comprehensive plan to address the underlying causes of the humanitarian situation on the border. We all agreed that an effective solution requires a comprehensive and joint effort on the part of the governments of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, the United States, as well as other countries in Central America, and Mexico and Colombia. We directed our teams to begin coordinating such a plan, in collaboration with other international partners.  Our objective is to create the conditions that will allow the citizens of Central America to live in safe communities with access to education, jobs, and opportunities for social and economic advancement.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
July 25, 2014

FACT SHEET: Visit of President Perez Molina of Guatemala, President Hernandez of Honduras, and President Sanchez Ceren of El Salvador

On July 25, the President and Vice President hosted Presidents Otto Perez Molina of Guatemala, Juan Orlando Hernandez of Honduras, and Salvador Sanchez Ceren of El Salvador to discuss how the United States and Central American governments are cooperating to disrupt smuggling organizations and promote safe, legal, and orderly migration.  The leaders discussed how we can work together with other members of the international community to accelerate development, economic growth, and security improvements in the region and address the systemic factors that are causing Central American citizens to undertake the dangerous journey to the United States.

Unaccompanied Migrant Children

The Administration remains greatly concerned by the numbers of unaccompanied children who are crossing into the United States. These children are some of the most vulnerable, and many become victims of violent crime, gang recruitment, exploitation, or sexual abuse along the dangerous journey.  This is a humanitarian matter and our first priority is to make sure these children are housed, fed, and receive any necessary medical treatment. We will also enforce U.S. immigration laws and the most effective way to deter the use of these dangerous human smuggling routes is to repatriate those who have crossed the border recently and have no relief from removal.  We have made clear that migrant children and adults arriving with their children are not eligible to benefit from the passage of immigration reform legislation or from the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) process. The Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Homeland Security are enhancing enforcement and removal activities.  DOJ is deploying additional immigration judges to increase capacity to process the cases of recent undocumented entrants, and to handle immigration court hearings as efficiently as possible while ensuring due process to safely return unlawful migrants to their home countries more quickly.

Shared Responsibility

The Governments of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras have coordinated closely with the United States in responding to increased irregular migration. They have implemented public awareness campaigns on the dangers of irregular migration, increased their consular presence on the border, and strengthened their enforcement efforts against smuggling organizations. In addition, the United States is working in close coordination with each country to ensure the safe, orderly, and dignified return of their citizens and to ensure adequate repatriation and reintegration resources in each country.  The United States is also providing $9.6 million in additional resources to support and expand repatriation center capacity and to provide training to immigration officials on migrant care and to increase the capacity of these governments and non-governmental organizations to provide expanded services to returned migrants.

Commitment to Central America’s Security and Development

Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador face very complex challenges that have contributed to the recent increase in individuals emigrating from their home countries, including high levels of violent crime, poverty, and lack of opportunities.  The United States recognizes these serious challenges and is committed to promoting the evolution of a Central America that is prosperous, democratic, and secure. We continue to operate robust programs to support our Central American partners providing $161.5 million this year for Central America Regional Security Initiative programs that are important to enabling Central American countries to respond to pressing security and governance challenges.  The United States also provides almost $130 million in ongoing bilateral assistance to El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala for a variety of programs related to health, education, climate change, economic growth, military cooperation, and democracy assistance.

The Administration is working to increase its support for Central America, beginning with $300 million in foreign assistance in the emergency supplemental request sent to Congress. The United States seeks to work with Central America, Mexico, Colombia, multilateral development banks, and other international partners to develop a sustained, well-coordinated plan to address the challenges facing Central America.  This effort will require the leadership of Central American governments, in close collaboration with civil society and the private sector to foster broad-based, lasting improvements in social and economic conditions in the region.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
July 25, 2014

Statement by the Press Secretary on H.R. 255, H.R. 272, H.R. 291, H.R.330, H.R.356, H.R. 507, H.R. 697, H.R 876, H.R. 1158, H.R. 1216, H.R. 1376, H.R. 1813, H.R. 2337, H.R. 3110

On Friday, July 25, 2014, the President signed into law:

H.R. 255, which amends certain definitions in the Provo River Project Transfer Act;

H.R. 272, which designates the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense joint outpatient clinic to be constructed in Marina, California, as the "Major General William H. Gourley VA‑DOD Outpatient Clinic";

H.R. 291, the "Black Hills Cemetery Act," which directs the Secretary of Agriculture to convey specified parcels of National Forest System land in South Dakota to local communities;

H.R. 330, the "Distinguished Flying Cross National Memorial Act," which designates a memorial located in Riverside, California, as the Distinguished Flying Cross National Memorial;

H.R. 356, the "Hill Creek Cultural Preservation and Energy Development Act," which authorizes a subsurface mineral land exchange in the State of Utah;

H.R. 507, the "Pascua Yaqui Tribe Trust Land Act," which requires, subject to certain conditions and valid existing rights, that specified land be held in trust for the benefit of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe;

H.R. 697, the "Three Kids Mine Remediation and Reclamation Act," which provides for the conveyance of 948 acres of Federal land in Clark County, Nevada, and for the remediation and reclamation of the Three Kids Mine site;

H.R 876, the "Idaho Wilderness Water Resources Protection Act," which authorizes the continued use of certain water diversion facilities located in specified wilderness areas within National Forest System land in the State of Idaho;

H.R. 1158, the "North Cascades National Park Service Complex Fish Stocking Act," which requires the Secretary of the Interior to continue stocking fish in certain lakes within the North Cascades National Park Service Complex in Washington State;

H.R. 1216, which designates the Department of Veterans Affairs Vet Center in Prescott, Arizona, as the Dr. Cameron McKinley Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Center;

H.R. 1376, which designates the facility of the United States Postal Service in Jersey City, New Jersey, as the Judge Shirley A. Tolentino Post Office Building;

H.R. 1813, which redesignates the facility of the United States Postal Service in Tallmadge, Ohio, as the Lance Corporal Daniel Nathan Deyarmin, Jr., Post Office Building;

H.R. 2337, the "Lake Hill Administrative Site Affordable Housing Act," which provides for the conveyance of about 40 acres of National Forest System land to Summit County, Colorado; and

H.R. 3110, the "Huna Tlingit Traditional Gull Egg Use Act," which authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to allow members of the Hoonah Indian Association to collect the eggs of glaucous-winged gulls within Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
July 25, 2014

Statement from the President on Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act

I applaud Members of Congress for passing the Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act.  Last year, in response to a “We the People” petition from consumers across our country, my Administration called for allowing Americans to use their phones or mobile devices on any network they choose.  We laid out steps the FCC, industry, and Congress should take to ensure copyright law does not undermine wireless competition, and worked with wireless carriers to reach a voluntary agreement that helps restore this basic consumer freedom.  The bill Congress passed today is another step toward giving ordinary Americans more flexibility and choice, so that they can find a cell phone carrier that meets their needs and their budget.  I commend Chairmen Leahy and Goodlatte, and Ranking Members Grassley and Conyers for their leadership on this important consumer issue and look forward to signing this bill into law.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
July 25, 2014

Readout of the President’s Calls with Afghan Presidential Candidates Dr. Abdullah and Dr. Ghani

The President spoke with Afghan presidential candidates Dr. Abdullah Abdullah and Dr. Ashraf Ghani today to thank them for their leadership in reaching an agreement to form a national unity government and to accept the outcome of the full audit of the ballots in the June 14 run-off election currently being undertaken by the election commissions.  He commended the two candidates for putting the interests of Afghanistan first and committing to working together as partners in governance.  Noting that the audit is steadily progressing, the President encouraged both candidates to publically endorse their previously agreed political framework and continue their dialogue on the details of its implementation to ensure the Afghan people have full confidence in the ongoing electoral process and outcome.  He reiterated that there is no justification for rhetoric that threatens extra-constitutional measures and urged Dr. Abdullah and Dr. Ghani to continue to move forward in the spirit of collegiality to maintain national unity during this historic democratic transition.  The President indicated that Secretary Kerry would continue his close consultations with the two candidates and President Karzai in the days to come.  The President also reaffirmed the enduring American commitment to the Afghan people and their future.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
July 24, 2014

Readout of the President’s Call with Prime Minister Abbott of Australia

President Obama spoke with Australian Prime Minister Abbott again this evening to discuss Malaysia Airlines flight 17.  The President thanked Prime Minister Abbott for Australia’s leadership on this issue, including for Australia’s willingness to send investigators to the crash site as well as federal police if necessary.  The two leaders agree that a prompt, full, unimpeded and transparent international investigation is an imperative, and they expressed their resolve to push for full, immediate, and secure access for international investigators to the crash site.  The President underscored that the U.S. will continue to support and coordinate closely with Australia, including at the United Nations Security Council, as this issue moves forward.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
July 24, 2014

Readout of the President’s Call to President Peña Nieto of Mexico

This evening President Obama spoke by phone with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto in advance of his meeting tomorrow with the Presidents of Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. They followed up on earlier discussions on a coordinated policy addressing the influx of unaccompanied children coming from Central America, through Mexico, to the U.S.-Mexico border. The President noted President Peña Nieto’s announcement of a comprehensive strategy to improve controls and safeguards along its border with Guatemala and Belize, and exchanged views on how we can deepen cooperation.

The President noted that these unaccompanied children are vulnerable to crime and abuse, and welcomed Mexico’s efforts to help target the criminals that lure families to send children on the dangerous journey and to alert potential migrants to the perils of the journey and the likelihood that they will be returned to Central America. The President also reiterated that arriving migrants will not qualify for legalization under proposed immigration reform legislation or deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA).

The Presidents also exchanged ideas on how the United States and Mexico can work with regional partners and collaborate with Central American leaders to address the underlying causes leading to migration. They discussed the possibility of regional programs that would pool resources to improve public security and increase economic opportunities in Central America.