Today, President Obama is traveling to El Paso, Texas to discuss the need to fix our broken immigration system.

[Mariye & Ky 172]

Good morning,

Today, President Obama is traveling to El Paso, Texas to discuss the need to fix our broken immigration system. You can watch his speech live at WhiteHouse.gov/live starting at 3:30 p.m. EDT (1:30 p.m. MDT):

Our nation is the leader of the global economy in part because of the steady stream of hardworking and talented people who have come to our country in search of a better life for themselves and their families. As we continue to strengthen our economy, we need an immigration system that demands responsibility and accountability from government, businesses and immigrants themselves.

In his speech today, the President will lay out his vision for an immigration system for America's 21st century economy and will call on Americans across the country to join a constructive conversation on this issue. We know that folks are already discussing this issue around their dinner tables, with their friends and neighbors and through social media communities like Twitter.

Here are just a few ways you can get involved in the conversation, and tell us here at the White House what you think:

1. Twitter. During the President's speech today, I'll have a screen up next to my TV to watch the conversation on Twitter using the #immigration hashtag, so make sure to use #immigration to share your thoughts.
2. Advise the Advisor. Cecilia Muñoz, one of the President's senior advisors on immigration issues, just posted a new Advise the Advisor video asking for your feedback on this important issue. Visit WhiteHouse.gov/Advise to see the video and tell us what you think.
3. Roundtable Discussions. In addition to all the ways you can join the conversation online, we're encouraging Americans to host roundtable discussions in your own communities over the next few months, and let us know what you talked about and what issues matter the most in your community. Visit WhiteHouse.gov/Immigration to get started.

Most Americans agree that our immigration system is broken: it hamstrings our economy, it hurts families who play by the rules, and it leaves millions living in the shadows without a path to get right with the law.

We can't out-educate, out-innovate and out-build our competitors without an immigration system that works for our economy. That's why this conversation on immigration reform is so important. We need voices from across the country to help us elevate the debate and move forward.

We're looking forward to hearing what you have to say.

Sincerely,

David Plouffe

Senior Advisor to the President

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

Obama and the rest of the peeps who promote breaking the laws of the USA can go hang themselves. He can shove his Dream Act right where the sun doesn't shine.

[Vi-Jay 218]

Obama and the rest of the peeps who promote breaking the laws of the USA can go hang themselves. He can shove his Dream Act right where the sun doesn't shine.

Please expound. I missed his speech. Thanks.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

Please expound. I missed his speech. Thanks.

He's pushing to make the 30+ million of illegals in this country "legal" knowing it won't happen and that he's just beating a dead horse but that it will get him the Hispanic (again) vote for next election.

[Vi-Jay 218]

He's pushing to make the 30+ million of illegals in this country "legal" knowing it won't happen and that he's just beating a dead horse but that it will get him the Hispanic (again) vote for next election.

This guy just said that the Repubs would probably entertain some concessions (amnesty) if the 4 states would get the border secured 1st.

I have trouble envisioning anything do-able other than a worker ID card and or amnesty.

Both make me nauseous. I fear the potential privacy invasion coming with the ID card and I feel resentful 'bout amnesty.

Otherwise, have to get the walls built, put US military along the wall, enforce all immigration laws and wait 'em out.

I think it would be a very very long wait.

Edited May 10, 2011 by Vi-Jay

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

This guy just said that the Repubs would probably entertain some concessions (amnesty) if the 4 states would get the border secured 1st.

I have trouble envisioning anything do-able other than a worker ID card and or amnesty.

Both make me nauseous. I fear the potential privacy invasion coming with the ID card and I feel resentful 'bout amnesty.

Otherwise, have to get the walls built, put US military along the wall, enforce all immigration laws and wait 'em out.

I think it would be a very very long wait.

There is "Worker Visa's" that those peeps could get, but don't get. They know what their doing when they choose to break the law. Other than freak fest California, none of the border states will consider giving in imo.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

The illegal immigration issue isn't going to be resolved until the incentive to immigrate unlawfully - making moolah - is removed. You'd have to crack down on those employing illegal migrants - and do that very severely. Once you do that, you'd have to take down that fence to make sure they're not interrupted or held up on their way out. I'm not about to take seriously any immigration reform proposal that doesn't have enforcement on employers - large and small - at the core of it. Without that, illegal immigration will continue no matter how tall a fcuking fence you build.

Edited May 10, 2011 by Mr. Big Dog

[Vi-Jay 218]

There is "Worker Visa's" that those peeps could get, but don't get. They know what their doing when they choose to break the law. Other than freak fest California, none of the border states will consider giving in imo.

I just saw a small part of Obama-mama's speech.

O.M. was mocking the states. Joked that the states might ask for a "moat" and maybe some crocs for the moat.

That is not smart. but, that's Obama-mama elitist mentality showing. What's new.

[Vi-Jay 218]

I just saw a small part of Obama-mama's speech.

O.M. was mocking the states. Joked that the states might ask for a "moat" and maybe some crocs for the moat.

That is not smart. but, that's Obama-mama elitist mentality showing. What's new.

ooops. "Alligators" not crocs. Sorry.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

You guys are accusing Obama of catering to the illegal immigrants, and the immigration lawyers are doing exactly the opposite: accusing Obama of not stepping up to the plate and using his executive power to slow down the record amount of deportations that are taking place under his Presidency!

Here today's e-mail from Immigration Daily (ILW):

Comment: Obama Tries To Fool Immigrant Community - Being cynical at the White House is nothing new, both political parties have had hard-boiled cynics working at the White House from time to time. When cynicism is coupled with silliness, however, political losses usually follow. The President spoke earlier today in Texas on immigration policy, an article in Politico http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0511/54629.html captures some of the issues: "Not only is Obama resisting requests to use his executive power, but there also is no evidence the administration has a legislative strategy to pass a bill through Congress. That has left many to question Obama's motives: Is he really serious this time, or is he just checking a political box ahead of the 2012 election?" Angela Kelley, vice

president for immigration policy and advocacy at the Center for American Progress, a liberal think tank reminds the President that "he is answerable to all the expanded enforcement actions and to the question people ask: Could you take the edge off enforcement?" Apparently the cynicism is running into the silliness now, the article continues: "At a meeting last week with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Obama got pressed on the issue. And at the sitdown with business, political, law enforcement, religious and civil rights figures in the State Dining Room, he got an earful, as well. More than half the questions focused on Obama's executive authority â?¦ By the time

John Podesta, president and CEO of the Center for American Progress, raised the issue, Obama gave some ground. He told the group that he would sit down with Napolitano for a "serious conversation." This then is the President's fool-the-immigrants strategy: Speak all the right words, but the only action is a "serious conversation" with the DHS Secretary! The record-breaking deportations are testimony to the President's lack of attention to immigration, lack of empathy toward the immigrant community and most importantly, lack of any political reason to do anything material for immigrants (since he takes their votes for granted, and of course only US citizens in their families can vote at all). The surprise is that, in this age of citizen-media, the staff in Mr. Obama's campaign organization believe they can easily pull the wool over the eyes of immigrants, their families, their friends. We have one message for these staffers: Dream On!