President Obama getting ready to take first step in immigration reform

The New York Times

President Obama is expected to meet with congressional leaders of both parties on Thursday regarding comprehensive immigration reform.

Both Republicans and Democrats agree that the current immigration system is broken and remain divided over how to fix it.

Democrats, who are concerned that the unemployment rate is expected to stay high, are wavering on the idea of immigration reform. In addition, polls show that Hispanic voters, not surprisingly care deeply about changing the system because many of them are related to or least know someone who is entered the country illegally. However, some see it as a lower priority than the economy and health care.

“His [President Obama] position is very clear: he thinks we need comprehensive immigration reform,” David Axelrod, a senior adviser to the president, said in an interview. “But that’s not something that’s going to happen simply on his volition.”

Senator majority leader, Harry Reid, Democrat of Nevada believes that there is enough votes to pass a comprehensive bill this year.
Senator Charles E. Schumer, who has succeeded Senator Edward Kennedy as chairman of the Senate Judiciary subcommittee on immigration added, "unless we can convince Americans were going to be really tough, this is not going to work."

“By definition,” Representative Jason Altmire said, “illegal immigrants are people who broke the law to get here. So any effort to reward them with legal status and work permits would not be supported by the people who elected me.”