Obama continues tough immigration stance

WASHINGTON, Aug. 4 (UPI) -- Advocacy and Hispanic groups say they are disappointed with U.S. President Barack Obama's continued aggressive enforcement of immigration rules.

Despite saying during his presidential campaign that he'd loosen some of the more controversially aggressive tactics toward illegal immigrants used by his predecessor, Obama and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano have largely continued them, opening rifts with Hispanic backers who were important in his election victory, The New York Times reported Tuesday.

"Our feelings are mixed at best," said Clarissa Martinez De Castro, immigration director of the National Council of La Raza. "We understand the need for sensible enforcement, but that does not mean expanding programs that often led to civil rights violations."

Napolitano, however, told the Times that tough enforcement is needed to persuade U.S. voters to ultimately accept new laws that will give legal status to millions of illegals, perhaps late this year or early next year.

"We are expanding enforcement, but I think in the right way," she said. "We will continue to enforce the law and to look for effective ways to do it. That's my job."