Barack Obama committed to comprehensive immigration reform

[gcandgc]

Barack Obama committed to comprehensive immigration reform - The Times of India (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/Barack-Obama-committed-to-comprehensive-immigration-reform/articleshow/8114010.cms)

WASHINGTON: Pointing out that perpetuating a broken immigration system is not an option if America is to win the future, the US President Barack Obama expressed his commitment to a comprehensive immigration reform, the White House said.

Obama reiterated his concern that the US educates the best and brightest but then ships that talent overseas or expels talented young people who have grown up as Americans and want to further their education or serve in the military, the White House said in a statement.

He said this during a meeting with influential Hispanics from across the US to discuss the importance of fixing the broken immigration system for America's 21st century economic and security needs.

"The president reiterated his commitment to comprehensive immigration reform that both strengthens security at borders while restoring accountability to the broken immigration system, and pointed out that perpetuating a broken immigration system is not an option if America is to win the future," the White House said.

Obama expressed his deep disappointment that Congressional action on immigration reform has stalled and that the the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act failed to pass in the Senate after being passed in the US House with a bipartisan majority in December last year, the statement said.

Obama also noted that the only way to fix the immigration system is through legislative action in Congress, and that he cannot unilaterally change the law, it said.

He made it clear that while his administration continues to improve legal immigration system, secure borders, and enhance immigration enforcement so that it is more effectively and sensibly focused on criminals, more voices are needed to elevate the immigration debate beyond the politics, false debates, and rhetoric that have dominated the issue," the White House said.

Obama urged meeting participants to help elevate the debate, and to forge partnerships across sectors and across demographics.

"There was broad agreement that more voices are needed to change the tone of the debate so that Congress acts to fix the broken system in a way that upholds America's history as a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants," the statement said.

Obama reaffirmed that he will continue to work to forge bipartisan consensus and will intensify efforts to lead a civil debate on this issue in the coming weeks and months.

GCANDGC

[glus]

hello,
His "commitment' means he is afraid Hispanics will not vote for him so he wants to create an impression that he wants to resolve the broken immigration system. That's all. There is no way he can push anything through if it includes amnesty because Reps control the House. So his so called commitment = 0.

[sandy_anand]

He didn't do it when he controlled both the Senate and the House in 2009. Why should we believe him now when he barely controls anything. These things should be read just as campaign postures in an effort to secure a second term. No truth to these statements.

[ameerka_dream]

I got holes in my eardrum with his political stunts and his dubious speeches...To me, He is like barking dog which would never bite anybody..Nothing is gonna happen with him even if he wins second term...Everybody has to support GOP as they value business immigration..unlike the way he did to legal immigrants and the way he put restrictions to visa system in his period ..

[go_guy123]

I got holes in my eardrum with his political stunts and his dubious speeches...To me, He is like barking dog which would never bite anybody..Nothing is gonna happen with him even if he wins second term...Everybody has to support GOP as they value business immigration..unlike the way he did to legal immigrants and the way he put restrictions to visa system in his period ..

Cant say that...he has been biting hard...Neufield Memo, deportation at POE (Jan 2010 Newark), massive audits of companies. I do agree GOP is good for skilled immigration / business after all AC21 got passed under GOP in 2000. GOP rammed through AC21 leaving behind the amnesty that Democratic party wanted to "attach". Gutirrex et al are do that right now as well ...holding skilled folks as hostage.

[minimalist]

hello,
His "commitment' means he is afraid Hispanics will not vote for him so he wants to create an impression that he wants to resolve the broken immigration system. That's all. There is no way he can push anything through if it includes amnesty because Reps control the House. So his so called commitment = 0.
I am equally disappointed that nothing happened on immigration, but if you look at his legislative accomplishments, he is going in the order of what is important for America as a nation. The healthcare initiative took most of his time and rightly so. Even though he had majorities in oth house and senate they were usesless as "bluedog" democrats are as good as Replublicans at cooperating with him.
Now is the time for Immigration and based on his track record I am very optimistic that he would get something done.

[Leo07]

Just as commited as he is on:
energy-independence,
Libya & rest of middle-east,
budget-cuts,
War-in-afghanistan,
building roads and infrastructure,
education,
"health care",
taxes on the top 2%
and one more..closing Guantanamo...

[imh1b]

All posts on this thread show that while we go and tell lawmakers that we care for America, in reality we only care for ourself. We just want our greencard and do not care what happens for America. As an american how will you feel when you see a million foriegners coming every year and taking their jobs away. On top of it tens of millions of illegal foriegners draining the state fund by using all USA has to offer but not even paying taxes. How will you feel if 1 million Bangladeshis or Sri Lankans come to India and start protesting asking for Indian citizenship. Or imagine if suddenly Bangladeshis start demanding quota in jobs in India. This is exactly taht is happening here. IT field is filled with Indians and lot of American programmers are jobless. Indian companies continue to bring Indian programmers and are filling the market. Americans are pissed and nobody on the forum feels the need to even think about this issue.

When employment is high, economy is down, gas prices are above $4, Dems and Reps are both playing politcal posturing to win the next pcoming elsections doing recapture bill for a bunch of forigeners on IV who do not care for America is the last thing a President would want to do. I would like to see him create more jobs, grow the econmoy, come up with good energy policy, reduce pain at the pump, Make health care better, Save social security from getting bankrupt, invest in research and education, help more small businesses and make America a better place in the world than it is.

The immediate plan of action for a good president on immigration should be to immediately protect the borders so that there are no more illegal aliens coming in. Enforce everify. Make laws so that employers hiring illegals are fined heavily. Go after all companies visa fraud and clean up the system. This is exactly what every American and even Republican you guys are praising want. What is giving an extra million greencard do to America? I do not see any strong arguements to prove it will be a silver bullet to any problem this country is facing. So unless we have any strong reason to ask for our greencard, we do not stand a chance. So why blame a poor president trying is best to do his job. It is your Republican friends you are praising trying to put roadblcks and dragging him into garbage controversies like birth certificate.

I stand by Mr President and applaud him for what he doing. He is doing his best and trying to improve this country from the bad economic condition he got from previous one.

[rajuseattle]

I believe what PRes Obama is trying to do here is start the negotiations with fear mongers on the "Amnesty" and then come down to the final agreement with DREAM and relief for EB immigrants.

This is the best strategy given the record of these Tea Baggers (Fear Mongers) who are interested in just the politics instead of resolving any issues. If you go to GoP website you will see nothing about "immigration", they hate both legal and illegal immigrants and their supporters are the orgs like NumberUSA, CIS and FAIR.

GoP might work to increase H1B as they need cheap labor for their friends in the US chamber of Commerce, but they wont do anything to increase employment based permanent immigration VISA numbers.( FAIR policy is to reduce overall LEGAL immigration).

[hibworker]

Barack Obama committed to comprehensive immigration reform - The Times of India (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/Barack-Obama-committed-to-comprehensive-immigration-reform/articleshow/8114010.cms)

WASHINGTON: Pointing out that perpetuating a broken immigration system is not an option if America is to win the future, the US President Barack Obama expressed his commitment to a comprehensive immigration reform, the White House said.

Obama reiterated his concern that the US educates the best and brightest but then ships that talent overseas or expels talented young people who have grown up as Americans and want to further their education or serve in the military, the White House said in a statement.

He said this during a meeting with influential Hispanics from across the US to discuss the importance of fixing the broken immigration system for America's 21st century economic and security needs.

"The president reiterated his commitment to comprehensive immigration reform that both strengthens security at borders while restoring accountability to the broken immigration system, and pointed out that perpetuating a broken immigration system is not an option if America is to win the future," the White House said.

Obama expressed his deep disappointment that Congressional action on immigration reform has stalled and that the the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act failed to pass in the Senate after being passed in the US House with a bipartisan majority in December last year, the statement said.

Obama also noted that the only way to fix the immigration system is through legislative action in Congress, and that he cannot unilaterally change the law, it said.

He made it clear that while his administration continues to improve legal immigration system, secure borders, and enhance immigration enforcement so that it is more effectively and sensibly focused on criminals, more voices are needed to elevate the immigration debate beyond the politics, false debates, and rhetoric that have dominated the issue," the White House said.

Obama urged meeting participants to help elevate the debate, and to forge partnerships across sectors and across demographics.

"There was broad agreement that more voices are needed to change the tone of the debate so that Congress acts to fix the broken system in a way that upholds America's history as a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants," the statement said.

Obama reaffirmed that he will continue to work to forge bipartisan consensus and will intensify efforts to lead a civil debate on this issue in the coming weeks and months.

GCANDGC

Mr President did nothing for Americans. The economy sucks after 3 yrs, healthcare went no where, millions of illegals are still here and many more are poring in every day.

Of course he will not do anything for us ... he couldn't even do anything for the people who voted him in.

I also agree with you - if US feels that they don't want guest workers and new immigrants - then they should just stop the benefits. But even that won't happen because US govt is in a state of apathy - they will not do ANYTHING.

[ek_bechara]

Pre 2008: Republications hated the idea of having Obama as President
Between 2008 -2012: Republicans love the idea of having Obama as President. People realize that he is no Clinton and the Republicans will make sure that Obama fails on every front.

Republicans are contesting everything (things that they supported in the past) not because their ideology has changed, but because they want Obama to fail miserably.

The bottom-line is nothing will happen. Period....

Wait for the monthly visa numbers and have fun...

[cbpds]

Dude,

Stop giving excuses like the Prez :), not many are biting into it these days

Blue dogs were there when it came to Healthcare as well , isnt it?

I am equally disappointed that nothing happened on immigration, but if you look at his legislative accomplishments, he is going in the order of what is important for America as a nation. The healthcare initiative took most of his time and rightly so. Even though he had majorities in oth house and senate they were usesless as "bluedog" democrats are as good as Replublicans at cooperating with him.
Now is the time for Immigration and based on his track record I am very optimistic that he would get something done.

[thomachan72]

I am not a great fan of the CIR. When and if it finally gets going we potentially could see the legals left behind again. After all it is only the crying baby that gets milk.:(:(:(

[go_guy123]

I am not a great fan of the CIR. When and if it finally gets going we potentially could see the legals left behind again. After all it is only the crying baby that gets milk.:(:(:(

Perfectly put....and correct. CIR aka Amnesty for 12 million undocumented is a toxic political cocktail for skilled immigration. So long the Democratic paty has control over the senate, the ghost of CIR will always be there.

[minimalist]

Dude,

Stop giving excuses like the Prez :), not many are biting into it these days

Blue dogs were there when it came to Healthcare as well , isnt it?

If not for bluedogs and the death of Ted Kennedy, who fought for the health care reform after gutting it during 80's out of spite , just when the reform needed his vote, we could have had a better healthcare plan. We got the best one possible under circumstances.
If you look t the timing of the events, bluedogs dragged it until the elections for CT senate seat got over and then had to compromise a lot more because of the 60th vote.

[cbpds]

Many bluedogs did vote for it reluctantly, dont say HC passed bcos of death of kennedy, it was the push from Pelosi and Rahm that got Healthcare thru.

The MA senate elections costed the Dems the 60th vote, not the CT vote/.

If not for bluedogs and the death of Ted Kennedy, who fought for the health care reform after gutting it during 80's out of spite , just when the reform needed his vote, we could have had a better healthcare plan. We got the best one possible under circumstances.
If you look t the timing of the events, bluedogs dragged it until the elections for CT senate seat got over and then had to compromise a lot more because of the 60th vote.

[gk_2000]

hello,
His "commitment' means he is afraid Hispanics will not vote for him so he wants to create an impression that he wants to resolve the broken immigration system. That's all. There is no way he can push anything through if it includes amnesty because Reps control the House. So his so called commitment = 0.

class Obama {
void commitment(void) = 0;
}

That's it!

[gk_2000]

How will you feel if 1 million Bangladeshis or Sri Lankans come to India and start protesting asking for Indian citizenship. Or imagine if suddenly Bangladeshis start demanding quota in jobs in India.



To be honest, I'd be rather flattered. Reg quota jobs, however, that's not a good comparison to make.

[gk_2000]

I am equally disappointed that nothing happened on immigration, but if you look at his legislative accomplishments, he is going in the order of what is important for America as a nation. The healthcare initiative took most of his time and rightly so. Even though he had majorities in oth house and senate they were usesless as "bluedog" democrats are as good as Replublicans at cooperating with him.
Now is the time for Immigration and based on his track record I am very optimistic that he would get something done.

No he wont. Economy, jobs, etc are still in the toilet. Repubs might listen to Business community and do something for us, not these guys

[minimalist]

Many bluedogs did vote for it reluctantly, dont say HC passed bcos of death of kennedy, it was the push from Pelosi and Rahm that got Healthcare thru.

The MA senate elections costed the Dems the 60th vote, not the CT vote/.

My bad. It was MA. I am not saying Kennedy's death caused it to pass. That made it much more tough to pass.

If blue dogs didn't take their sweet time posturing, the bill would have passed quickly , without getting into the 60th vote boondoggle.

[ameerka_dream]

Sorry I'm taking my statements back... I'm impressed with the way obama handled this terror-maniac and sea burial of his body..To me, it's like one big job worth million good things..Hope he will do something good in lives of thousands of legal immigrants as well.

May god bless america..

I got holes in my eardrum with his political stunts and his dubious speeches...To me, He is like barking dog which would never bite anybody..Nothing is gonna happen with him even if he wins second term...Everybody has to support GOP as they value business immigration..unlike the way he did to legal immigrants and the way he put restrictions to visa system in his period ..

[GCVivek]

Democrats will always give you lip service. They will sell themselves and their morals for votes. We have seen it time and again, without exception. They are ready to sell the country for a few votes. Vote and tell everyone you know to only vote Republican. They and only they care about the USA and legal immigration.

[rajuseattle]

I dont agree with you on the point that GoP is good friend of legal immigrants, but i can 200% agree that post bin laden death they are helping our country India and supporting india's long stated theory that Pakistan is the biggest terrorist country in the world.

In short GoP is good for India, now i dont know how that love fest will translate into any favourable changes in the immigration policy to help thousands of indians rotting in this EB mess.

[ameerka_dream]

Obama to ramp up immigration fight
By: Carrie Budoff Brown
May 3, 2011 12:15 PM EDT

President Barack Obama is ramping up his push to overhaul the immigration system, launching a sustained personal campaign that will rely in part on recruiting outsiders to pressure Congress to take up the controversial issue.

“He is committed and will be leaning into this issue in a very serious and very vigorous way,” Melody Barnes, director of the Domestic Policy Council, said Tuesday. “We are upping the intensity on this issue, and hopefully the information and facts about this issue will compel people to act.”

Barnes and Cecilia Munoz, the White House director of intergovernmental affairs, detailed a strategy of pressuring Congress by deploying Cabinet members, senior staff and business, labor and Hispanic groups to make the case. The administration took a similar approach ahead of a surprisingly close Senate vote last year on the DREAM Act, which would have provided a path to citizenship for young illegal immigrants who were brought to the country as children.

The president is also spending more time on the issue. He has hosted three immigration meetings in the past three weeks, including one Tuesday with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and another last week with movie stars, media personalities and activists. On Friday, he renewed his support for the DREAM Act during a speech to graduates of Miami Dade College.

“The past couple of weeks are also prologue,” Barnes said. “You will continue to see him build on this, and he has said to others that he has given his commitment to be both vocal and public on what needs to get done.”

Barnes would not specify what this would entail. She suggested the tactics would not include the White House introducing its own bill, as congressional Republicans wanted.

“Often when the White House just puts something on the table, it can become a point of conflict and not an inflection point to move forward,” Barnes said.

Given the slim Senate Democratic majority and Republican-controlled House, the odds remain long for passage of a bill that includes a legalization program for the country’s estimated 11 million illegal immigrants. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) attempted earlier this year to restart the debate in the Senate, but amid a series of distractions from the budget, Libya and the economy, they haven’t gotten far.

Obama has faced criticism from the Hispanic community because of his failed campaign pledge to introduce an immigration overhaul bill during the first year of his presidency. The public push by the White House suggests, in part, an attempt to build a political case ahead of the 2012 elections that Obama was committed to passing an overhaul bill but got stymied by an uncooperative Congress.

Obama has declined to use his executive authority to slow deportations of college students who are illegal immigrants or of other undocumented workers, saying he was hamstrung by Congress’s inaction. His refusal to use that power also has disappointed the Hispanic community.

Munoz said the issue can be addressed only by the passage of a bipartisan bill.

The recent White House meetings “are all a reflection of an effort to really engage those folks as vigorously as possible and elevate the debate and creating pressure and a sense of urgency we feel to get this job done,” Munoz said.


© 2011 Capitol News Company, LLC

source: President Obama to ramp up immigration fight - Carrie Budoff Brown - POLITICO.com (http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0511/54196.html)