Obama calls for immigration reform

WASHINGTON, July 1 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama Thursday called on Congress to address comprehensive immigration reform, saying it is time to fix a broken immigration system.

In a policy speech at American University's School of International Service in Washington, the president acknowledged immigration has become has a source of "fresh contention."

Obama touted the accomplishments of his administration -- healthcare and financial reform -- and said immigration reform is not an issue "we can kick down the road." He said we need to reform a "creaky" old system and the question is whether Congress has the will to tackle the problem.

The diversity of our country is an advantage in terms of world competitiveness and a "younger workforce means a faster-growing economy," he said. Being an American "is a matter of faith and fidelity."

Obama said the majority of illegal immigrants come to the United States simply seeking a better life and that fences and border patrol agents won't secure the borders.

"It is impossible to round up and deport 11 million people," he said. Contrary to popular belief, the "southern border is more secure today than any time in the past 20 years" thanks to efforts of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Obama said.

He said people who are living in the United States illegally must admit they broke the law, pay a fine, get in line and learn English to create a "pathway for legal status that is fair and works."

Chances of passing any new immigration laws this year are slim.

Political observers said Obama raised the issue to appear more proactive for the Democratic base before the November midterm elections. Republicans generally have backed away from reform, with many calling for first securing U.S. borders to reduce illegal immigration, enacting legislation like Arizona's controversial immigration law.

"Our task then is to make our system of national laws work," Obama said, adding he believed lawmakers can put aside the emotional politics and pass reform.

Among the dignitaries attending were U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, Rep. Louis Gutierrez, D-Ill., New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka and civil rights activist Al Sharpton.