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Justaweek ago, House Republican leadersreleased a set of principles for an immigration overhaul, raising the expectation thatthey werefinally preparing to tackle the issue after months of inaction. But House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, suggested another long delay is imminent because the president cant be trusted to enforce existing laws.

This is an important issue in our country, its been kicked round forever and it needs to be dealt with, Boehner said. But, he added, members of Congress and the American people dont trust that the reform that were talking about will be implemented as it was intended to be. The president seems to change the healthcare law on a whim whenever it likesnow hes running all over the country telling everyone that hes going to keep acting on his own.

We are going to continue to discuss this issue with our members, but I think the presidents going to have to demonstrate to the American people and to my colleagues that he can be trusted to enforce the law as it is written, Boehner added.

When asked about Boehners comments, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said, I think the presidents record speaks for itself. He pointed to enhanced border enforcement and surveillance technology. Left unsaid but something of which pro-citizenship activists are keenly aware of is that the president hasdeported record numbers of immigrantscaught living illegally in the United States.

Immigrant advocates havestepped up pressure on the president to unilaterally halt deportations, a move the president has resisted because he says its well beyond his authority. Carney repeated that point in his briefingWednesday, telling reporters, Theres no alternative to comprehensive immigration reform passing throughCongress. It requires legislation.

Lynn Tramonte,deputydirector of the pro-citizenshiporganizationAmericas Voice, noted the high deportation numbers in response to Boehners comments. Just one week after issuing their standards for immigration reform, the House Republicans are already seeking to lower expectations about passing legislation this year and testing out excuses.Republicans need to realize this isnt about Obama its about them, she said.

Still, Boehner is far from the first Republican to make this argument. Last, Sen. MarcoRubio, R-Fla. one of the architects of the Senates comprehensive immigration reform bill -- said the administrations handling of the attack on the 2012 attack on American diplomats in Benghazi and the increased scrutiny of conservative organizations by some employees of the Internal Revenue Service were proof they wouldnt enforce the law.

I dont know if it can happen under this administration given its lack of willingness to enforce the law. Its a real impediment, Rubiosaid at a breakfast hosted by the Wall Street Journal.

Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., who has been one of the more vocal supporters of immigration reform among House Republicans,said he doubted whether an immigration bill could pass in 2014because of Republican agreement on one big issue: We don't trust the president to enforce the law.

Boehners comments follow on a gathering of conservative congressman yesterday where several members said the GOP should wait to act on immigration legislation until after the midterm elections, when Republicans could gain control of the Senate.

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Immigration reform delay will be Obamas fault, Boehner says