Thread: Obama to address immigration reform in May

Obama to address immigration reform in coming months
3 hours ago

WASHINGTON (AFP) — President Barack Obama will present plans for immigration reform this year, Hispanic lawmakers said Wednesday after strategic talks at the White House.

Obama "was clear and eloquent and determinate to let us know that we are all together in the route of comprehensive immigration reform," Democratic lawmaker Luis Gutierrez told reporters after the discussion between the president and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC).

"We believe that we are moving forward this year, we are going to work with the president," added CHC leader Nydia Velazquez.

Obama will convene a public forum on the issue "probably in two months," according to New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez.

The White House said in a statement that the meeting was "robust and strategic" and that Obama will work with CHC members to address immigration reform "in both the short and long term."

Two legislative measures to reform immigration failed to gain traction in Congress in 2006 and 2007, as lawmakers grappled with the task of addressing the 12 million undocumented would-be immigrants in the United States.

In the meeting CHC members made "absolutely clear that this is the civil rights issue of our community and that we will all be judged on how we act on this issue," added Gutierrez.

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Obama talks immigration
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Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor March 18, 2009 03:08 PM

On his very full plate, it was one issue that President Obama had yet to take on. Until today, that is, when he discussed immigration with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

Obama supported comprehensive reform, including a possible path to citizenship for law-abiding people who entered the country illegally, along the lines of the bill that stalled in Congress in 2007. But it was not a priority issue during the campaign.

According to the White House account of the one-hour closed session, it was "a robust and strategic meeting" where Obama announced he will go to Mexico next month to meet President Calderon.

"The President discussed how the administration will work with the CHC to address immigration concerns in both the short and long term," the White House said.

With Calderon, he plans "to discuss the deep and comprehensive US-Mexico relationship, including how the United States and Mexico can work together to support Mexico’s fight against drug-related violence and work toward effective, comprehensive immigration reform. Since their meeting in January, the President has repeatedly praised President Calderon for his extraordinary work to solve these challenges, which are important to communities and families on both sides of the border."

UPDATE: "We came to the president today as allies and supporters, and in return he showed us that he remains committed to immigration reform that stabilizes our economy, secures our borders, and keeps our families together," said Representative Luis V. Gutierrez of Illinois, chairman of the Hispanic caucus's immigration task force.

"The president showed the CHC that, although it is very early in his administration, he understands that for the immigrant community it’s the 11th hour, and there is no time to waste," Gutierrez said in a statement. The Latino community supported President Obama overwhelmingly in the election, and they remain energized not only by his victory but also by his message of support for comprehensive immigration reform. I believe that a plan is forthcoming, and that we will see real change this year."

The head of the National Council of La Raza said she is optimistic that immigration reform will be addressed this year.

“The leadership on immigration reform from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus should be applauded, and we appreciate the President’s continued commitment to this issue,â€

"in both the short and long term."

just what does this mean? short term...stop the enforcement, Long term....amnesty.

well plan on the fight of your life!!!

we don't need so-called comprehensive immigration reform, we need enforcement of existing immigration laws. Why is it always Hispanic so-called leaders who have to push for amnesty, where are the other ethnic groups?

americans are sick and tired of this subversion. we need to march on DC and let Congress and thsi President know in no uncertain terms that this circus needs to stop. This is totally insane!

Get ready for a firestorm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"According to an immigrant advocacy group in Massachusetts, Obama is to lay out his proposal in May."

Would that be at the Chicago May Day March?

Originally Posted by LawEnforcer

Obama will convene a public forum on the issue "probably in two months," according to New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez.

We need to be there...in full force!!!

the country has been suffering because of our broken system.

The country has been suffering because of illegals stealing our identities and jobs, getting mortgages they will never be able to repay without 50 working people in a single family home contributing and their ridiculous demands we meet their every need and ignore our traditions, language and laws. The only way the system is broken is that it does not favor your lawbreakers above those citizens and those legally here.

The immigration system is not broken. It's our government that's broken, and these idiots are turning this country in a lawless land of crooks and thieves.

I just heard Obama live on the radio at a town hall in California plugging his plan for "comprehensive immigration reform" and how he claims this would raise wages for all (he's using the OBL talking pts). I just caught part of it so I didn't hear a timetable, but it sounded remarkably like the 1986 amnesty: make them learn English etc. But the bottom line would be mass amnesty.

Get ready to fight, and start calling now as he wants mass amnesty.