US immigration reform must wait until 2010, says Obama
August 11 2009 by Mark Johnstone
Barack Obama on US immigration
On Monday President Obama reiterated his commitment to reforming US immigration policy to provide a route to citizenship for the many thousands of unregistered people living and working in the US. However, he added that the reform may have to wait until next year.
Speaking during meetings between himself, Mexican President Felipe Calderón and Canadian President Stephen Harper, at what is referred to as the ‘three amigos’ conference, Obama said US immigration reform was still a major focus for him.
He said that Congress would first concentrate on seeing through his plans for health care reform, as well as measures to deal with energy and financial regulation. He says he will then begin to draft immigration bills later this year. He added that Congress will work to get these bills passed in 2010.
President Obama was realistic about his goals, stating, “Now, am I going to be able to snap my fingers and get this done? No, but ultimately, I think the American people want fairness. And we can create a system in which you have strong border security and an orderly process for people to come in.”
He added that a pathway to citizenship for people already living in the US without US visas will enable them to stop “living in the shadows.”
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