Obama still pressing immigration

By SCOTT WONG
6/28/10 7:48 PM EDT


Amid oil, Kagan hearings, and Afghanistan, Obama is still stoking the immigration fire. Reuters

Even with Washington distracted by the oil spill, a change in generals in Afghanistan and a Supreme Court nomination, President Barack Obama and his congressional allies are stoking the immigration debate, ignoring signals that the issue is dead for the year.

Key Hispanic lawmakers such as Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) have already concluded there isn’t the political will in Congress to tackle immigration legislation, and centrist Democrats want nothing to do with the issue — beyond pushing border security — in an election year.

So why is the president inviting activists, Hispanic lawmakers and other immigration experts to the White House on back-to-back days?

According to those involved in the meetings, the discussions are not about legislation but about keeping the politics of immigration simmering for a key part of the Democratic base.

The Obama administration is preparing a lawsuit against Arizona, challenging that state’s toughest-in-the-nation immigration law. And the president told participants Monday that he plans to give a major speech soon urging Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform.

“The president reaffirmed his commitment to immigration reform. We reaffirmed our commitment to supporting him, pushing back the Republican wall that has opposed immigration reform,â€