Obama Announces Submission of U.S. Immigration Reform Bill Before Year-End
U.S. President Barack Obama stated recently while attending the 5th North American Leaders' Summit that the U.S. immigration system is effectively "broken," and he plans to submit a proposal for immigration reform before the end of this year.
At a press conference following the conclusion of the trilateral summit, President Obama remarked that failing to address immigration issues from Mexico and other Latin American countries could lead to a series of problems for the United States. He noted that it might even impact the wages of American workers, as immigrant labor in the U.S. is often compensated at very low rates.
However, Obama acknowledged that the proposal might face domestic opposition, but he expressed his commitment to working with both Democratic and Republican lawmakers in hopes of achieving a breakthrough.
Meanwhile, Mexican President Felipe Calderón, who also attended the summit, stated on the 10th that the Obama administration has made positive efforts regarding immigration since taking office. He expressed hope that President Obama would place greater emphasis on immigration issues and effectively protect the legal rights and interests of Mexican immigrants. He also emphasized the significant contributions Mexican immigrants have made to the economic and social development of the United States.
The two-day 5th North American Leaders' Summit concluded on the 10th in Guadalajara, Mexico's second-largest city. The leaders of Mexico, the United States, and Canada issued a joint statement after the meeting, expressing that trilateral cooperation would be beneficial in addressing various challenges. The leaders also held consultations on issues including the economic recession, H1N1 influenza, joint anti-drug efforts, national security, climate change, clean energy alternatives, and the political crisis in Honduras.
