Obama says he backs immigration reform

I’ll believe it as soon as I see his signature signing a fair and ample immigration reform law. Until then, it's merely rhetoric:

President Barack Obama said Wednesday he still supports "comprehensive immigration reform," even though he rarely mentions it anymore. Asked about the emotional and politically delicate topic at a town hall format in Southern California, the president said the nation must find a way to strengthen its borders while also giving about 12 million illegal immigrants a path to possible citizenship.

"If they stay in the shadows," he said, some employers will exploit them, hurting wages and work conditions for all American workers.

Obama said illegal residents who have been in the United States a long time and have put down roots should have a mechanism for achieving legal status. They would have to learn English, pay a significant fine and "go to the back of the line" of those applying for legal entry, he said.

Earlier in the day Obama pledged to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) that he will present plans for immigration reform sometime this year. Obama will convene a public forum on the issue "probably in two months," according to Sen. Bob Menendez.

Admittedly the president has had other important and pressing issues to tackle since he was inaugurated in January. Yet Obama, much like leading politicos on both sides of the aisle, cannot diminish the problems with the current immigration system.

In short: immigration reform now!

Image- AFP
Online Sources- AFP, Dallas Morning News, Christian Science Monitor, AP