President Obama on Immigration

Today, President Obama spoke at the Esperanza National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C. During his speech, he said:

The American people -- 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 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. We must also clarify the status of millions who are here illegally, many who have put down roots. For 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.

President Obama owes his victory partially (if not mostly) to the Hispanic vote on November 4, 2008. So it was fitting that he asserted his commitment to immigration reform "during his Presidency." President Bush once acknowledged that the failure of his administration to pass immigration reform was a "personal disappointment" for his presidency. Let us hope that President Obama keeps his word and that we see a good immigration reform, maybe as soon as this year or early next year!

Read President Obama's speech from this morning!

-Ruchi Thaker