The Hill
Obama pans 'ill-conceived' laws on immigration while calling for reform
By Sam Youngman - 07/01/10 12:20 PM ET

President Barack Obama put the onus on Republicans on immigration reform Thursday, noting that former President George W. Bush supported the same approach he now does.

Obama, speaking on the issue at American University, faulted Arizona and other states for passing "ill-conceived" immigration laws, but acknowledged that the "system is broken, and everybody knows it."

He said "we cannot solve this problem" without GOP support.

While Obama said his administration would not "kick the can down the road," he seemed to do just that: He declined to offer any timeline or new specifics.

Obama said the Arizona law, which allows police to ask suspected illegal immigrants for identification if they are stopped for other reasons, has "fanned the flames of an already contentious debate."

Still, the president used his speech to condemn both proposals that amount to amnesty and the idea that it is possible or wise to "round up and deport 11 million people."

On “blanketâ€