Barack Obama Courts Latino Voters, Calls For Partner On Immigration Reform

[The Northerner]

WASHINGTON -- Republicans need to come forward to pass immigration reform, President Barack Obama said at a meeting of Latino advocacy group National Council of La Raza on Monday, continuing his push for Latino votes in 2012 amid concern over his record deportations of undocumented immigrants.

"I need a dance partner here, and the floor is empty," Obama said, referencing Republicans who formerly supported immigration reform and now say enforcement must be increased first. "Feel free to keep the heat on me, and keep the heat on Democrats, but here's the thing to remember: The Democrats and your president are with you. Remember who it is we need to change the laws."

But as Obama calls for immigration reform that is unlikely to pass Congress, Latinos and immigration reform supporters are becoming increasingly frustrated with the record numbers of people forced out of the country each year under his presidency.

A group of students stood during his speech to protest his deportation of young undocumented people, wearing shirts that read "Obama stop deporting DREAMers," a reference to the DREAM Act, a bill that would provide legal status to some undocumented young people who entered the United States as children.

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/25/obama-latino-voters-immigration-reform_n_908691.html