U.S. President Barack Obama has said the United States needs a pathway to legal status for some of the people who are in the country illegally.

He made the remark while calling for comprehensive immigration reform during a news conference at the White House Wednesday. Mr. Obama said he was referring to young people who were brought to the United States by a parent or someone else.

He said the country needs a system that upholds the law, while also upholding the nation's tradition as a land of immigrants.

The president also said border security and employment verification need to be addressed.