Immigration Reform Not Urgent Priority for Obama

President Obama hinted that immigration reform would be put on the back burner at least until 2011.

Photo by Jim Watson, AFP/Getty Image

In a press conference conducted at the Rose Garden that coincided with Cinco De Mayo festivities, the President spoke in front of the news corps about establishing discussion and debate amongst legislators in Congress for immigration overhaul before the end of 2010. 


The President hinted that he would prefer to establish talks on immigration between Democrats and Republicans in Congress rather than push for immigration reform in 2010. The President did not detail a plan of action for bi-partisan talks, but to merely, or at least establish talks and push forth immigration reform the following year.


"I want to begin work this year, and I want Democrats and Republicans to work with me — because we've got to stay true to who we are, a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants," Obama said at the event Wednesday.


The President, short on political capital, after the extensive legislative push for health care reform has left him and the Democratic Party on the cusp of being obsolete for any push of legislative efforts in a mid-term election year. Specially immigration reform. The President spoke with candor on Wednesday May 5 at the Rose Garden. 


Collusive of the lack of urgency for the President, but also analyzing the obstacles he and the Democratic Party may have should an immigration reform bill be introduced into Congress in 2010.


The statements by Obama reflect the situation of immigration reform. After the pullout from Sen. Lindsay Graham (R - N.C.) last week has left the Administration and the Democrats in Congress devoid on one of the most vocal proponents of immigration reform from the Republican Party. 


Graham, pulled out from any form of immigration for the current year citing the lack of a constructive framework or blueprint to work off of. On Thursday, April 29, a handful of Democratic Senators including Robert Menendez  (D - N.J.) and Charles Schumer (N. Y.) put together a blue print for comprehensive immigration reform, a document consisting of 26 pages, 20 of which consist strictly of enforcement and fines for undocumented immigrants should reform become a reality. 


The language of the said proposal is still being tweaked. The introduction of the blueprint proposal is very unlikely for the lack of support any Republican willing to openly support it, coinciding with Obama's desire to at least establish talks and discussions for 2011. The Administration and Congress is incongruently passive on the issue.


- fher