Obama Tells Central America Leaders Undocumented Migrants To Be Sent Home

Obama Tells Central America Leaders Undocumented Migrants To Be Sent Home
President Barack Obama speaks about the economy at the Los Angeles Trade-Technical College in Los Angeles, Thursday, July 24, 2014, on the final day of his three-day West Coast trip. Striking a populist stand ahead of the midterm elections, Obama is demanding "economic patriotism" from American corporations that seek overseas mergers to avoid U.S. taxes. Obama and congressional Democrats are pushing to severely limit such deals, a move resisted by Republicans who argue the entire corporate tax code needs an overhaul. (AP Photo)
President Barack Obama speaks about the economy at the Los Angeles Trade-Technical College in Los Angeles, Thursday, July 24, 2014, on the final day of his three-day West Coast trip. Striking a populist stand ahead of the midterm elections, Obama is demanding "economic patriotism" from American corporations that seek overseas mergers to avoid U.S. taxes. Obama and congressional Democrats are pushing to severely limit such deals, a move resisted by Republicans who argue the entire corporate tax code needs an overhaul. (AP Photo)

WASHINGTON, July 25 (Reuters) - President Barack Obama told Central American leaders on Friday that his administration had compassion for the influx of children crossing the U.S. border but said those without valid claims to stay would be sent home.

In a meeting at the White House with the leaders of Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, Obama said there may be some instances in which migrants from those countries could apply for refugee status, but those instances would be few.

Obama said the United States shared responsibility with those countries to address the problem, including the role of drug trafficking.

Obama also said he hoped lawmakers would approve a request for emergency funds to address the border crisis before leaving Washington for a multi-week recess. (Reporting by Jeff Mason; Editing by Sandra Maler)

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