Following the disappointing efforts by Congress to address the border crisis and immigration reform, the Obama administration issued a "government-wide" response on how the White House is tackling the issue.

According to the White House, more than 40,000 unaccompanied children and adults with children have been apprehended at the southern U.S. border since May. Specifically noting the influx of children crossing the border, the Obama administration reiterated that the country's immigration system is "broken."

The White House continued its call for Congress to advance comprehensive immigration reform, and it should include the strengthening of security at the border, more immigration court judges, provide opportunities for undocumented immigrants to earn their citizenship if they pass the requirements. The administration also wants Congress to help crack down on companies that hire undocumented immigrant workers.

The administration continued its criticism of Republican Party lawmakers in Congress for not fixing the broken immigration system for more than a year. The White House noted Obama's efforts and actions to address the issue.

"As part of this effort, the President requested emergency supplemental funding to support a unified, comprehensive Federal Government response to the influx of child and adult migration from Central America in the Rio Grande Valley," said the Office of the Press Secretary.

The administration noted it will continue steps to take care of undocumented immigrant children from Central America, except for those minors who "do not have a legal basis" to stay in the U.S. based on existing laws and will be returned to their native country.

The White House's efforts on improving the immigration court system include the Department of Justice's Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), which "refocused" its immigration court assets on recent migrants who have met with the Department of Homeland Security. The EOIR is reportedly working to process each immigration case "quick, but fairly" while ensuring due process for the undocumented immigrants seeking relief.

The Justice Department has also allowed the appointments of temporary immigration judges. As Latin Post reported, the immigration court system has encountered a backlog of immigration hearings. For some judges, immigration court hearings have been scheduled for 2018.

With the Department of State, the Justice Department will be involved in specific Central American countries to provide "support and training" that may be the root of the immigration crisis. The Obama administration also stated efforts with other federal agencies and the Mexican government to investigate and prosecute people who smuggle immigrants into the U.S.

The White House's diplomatic efforts with Mexico and Central America have reached to governmental and media levels.

In Guatemala, the country's First Lady launched "Quédate," a campaign discouraging undocumented immigration to the U.S. The campaign acknowledges the dangers of the journey and urging parents not to send their children on their own.

In El Salvador, the government announced the launch of a $1.2 million six-month media campaign highlighting the dangers and government efforts to combat illegal immigration to the U.S.

The Honduran president has also declared a humanitarian emergency. The Honduran government started a nation-wide media campaign across gas stations screens, 80 television outlets and 120 radio stations about the dangers of traveling to the U.S.

The Obama administration noted there are more border patrol agents and surveillance resources at the southern U.S. border than at any time in the country's history. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, 54,000 children have been cared for until the minors can be released to a sponsor -- such as a family member. The White House projected 150,000 undocumented children to enter the U.S. in 2015.

__

For the latest updates, follow Latin Post's Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO or contact via email: m.oleaga@latinpost.com.