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As some Hispanic groups have begun to question President Obama’s commitment to passing immigration reform, the president said Friday morning that he remains dedicated to signing such legislation.
Obama, addressing the Hispanic prayer breakfast for Esperanza, told the group he intends to uphold “America’s tradition as a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants.”
“Those things aren’t contradictory; they’re complementary,” Obama said. “That’s why I’m committed to passing comprehensive immigration reform as president of the United States.”
The president has come under fire from some groups recently for twice postponing a meeting with congressional members on the issue. The White House has explained the two delays as a matter of scheduling conflicts, and the meeting has been rescheduled for later this month.
On Friday, Obama again outlined his vision for reform, arguing, much like his predecessor, that “those who wish to become citizens, we should require them to pay a penalty and pay taxes, learn English, go to the back of the line behind those who played by the rules.”
“That is the fair, practical and promising way forward, and that’s what I’m committed to passing as president of the United States,” Obama said.
Wading into the hot-button issue that fiercely divided the Republican Party in 2006, the president said “the American people believe in immigration, but they also believe that we can’t tolerate a situation where people come to the United States in violation of the law, nor
Following the President’s remarks on immigration reform Friday, this Thursday’s meeting between Members of Congress and the President will move the immigration debate forward and put the spotlight on Congress to begin crafting comprehensive immigration reform legislation.
With a Congressional debate looming this fall, leaders from faith, Latino, business, labor, progressive, and immigration reform organizations will preview the White House meeting and preview the coming immigration reform legislative debate. This on-the-record briefing is hosted by the National Immigration Forum.
can we tolerate employers who exploit undocumented workers in order to drive down wages.”
“That’s why we’re taking steps to strengthen border security, and we must build on those efforts,” Obama said. “We must also clarify the status of millions who are here illegally, many who have put down roots.”
Highlighting the urgency with which Hispanic leaders view immigration reform, Rev. Jose
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