House speaker John A. Boehner has dealt a blow to the Obama Administration and said that the GOP overhaul idea would not get done this year.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the party’s overhaul idea included some legal status for the 11.5 million living in the U.S. illegally.
The hot-button issue has divided some Republicans and members of the party feel that the laws should not be rewritten this year.
The Washington Post reported that on Thursday Speaker Boehner said President Barack Obama needed to gain his caucus’ trust before the party moved forward.
“There’s widespread doubt about whether this administration can be trusted to enforce our laws,” said Boehner (R-Ohio). “And it’s going to be difficult to move any immigration legislation until that changes.”
The Journal also noted that one reason the GOP remained split-up on the topic is because stalling the overhaul would not improve the party’s chances of gaining key Hispanic votes during elections.
The Speaker has struggled with immigration reform after naming it a major issue for Republicans in the wake of the 2012 presidential election. Every time he has had the opportunity to make progress though, he has halted any action.