In a town hall last week, Sen. Jon Kyl (R., Ariz.) told constituents of a private conversation between him and President Obama, in which Obama reportedly said that he would not support tougher border enforcement unless Republicans acquiesced to comprehensive immigration reform:
’The problem is,’ he said, ‘if we secure the border, then you all won’t have any reason to support ‘comprehensive immigration reform.’ In other words, they’re holding it hostage. They don’t want to secure the border unless and until it is combined with ‘comprehensive immigration reform.’”
But the White House has denied the conversation took place, essentially calling Kyl a liar.
“The President didn’t say that and Senator Kyl knows it,” White House communications director Dan Pfeiffer told ABC News. “There are more resources dedicated toward border security today than ever before, but, as the President has made clear, truly securing the border will require a comprehensive solution to our broken immigration system.”
In a radio interview today, Kyl reportedly stood by his original account.