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President Obama Keeps Hope Alive on Immigration Reform
By Tanya Snyder, Reporter | Capitol News Connection
www.twitter.com/PowerBreakfast
After twice delaying a key meeting with Congressional Latinos, President Obama told Latino leaders at the Esperanza National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast and Conference in Washington this morning that he remains committed to reforming the immigration system.
But he was still vague on timing. Immigrant advocates are pushing for a bill this year, especially since chances are even slimmer that anything could pass next year, while lawmakers are running for re-election.
He reiterated his support for a controversial “touch-back” provision, requiring undocumented immigrants in the U.S. now to return to their home countries before they can come back to live legally in the United States. He also wants immigrants here illegally to pay penalties and taxes and to “go to the back of the line behind those who played by the rules.”
Frank Sharry, director of the immigrant-rights group America’s Voice, praised President Obama for understanding that the U.S. can “a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws” at the same time.
The president’s meeting with Latinos in Congress has been re-scheduled for June 25.
For more immigration coverage see Capitol News Connection.
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