Gutierrez slams Obama on immigration reform

Illinois Congressman threatens to vote no on health if immigration is not tackled

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Luis Gutierrez

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President Barack Obama has now come under intense pressure from a key group within his own party to tackle immigration reform.

Congressman Luis Gutierrez, a long time Chicago colleague of Obama and leader of the Hispanic caucus on immigration, has demanded immediate action.

The Hispanic delegation - who represent the fastest growing demographic in the U.S. - are furious with the lack of movement on the key issue of immigration.

They point out that deportations are running at an all-time high under his presidency up by 13 percent from Dubya's reign to 298,401 in fiscal year 2009.
 Gutierrez says he's ready to vote no on health if Obama doesn't do something on immigration.

"This is not easy," he says. "My office is covered with pictures of the president with me. We worked hard for his election. My wife adores him."

But Gutierrez says he is ready to work with the President if Obama decides to act on the issue.

"I'm very hopeful" that the president will agree to push for legislation, says Gutierrez. "The ball is in his court."

The stats  are cold comfort for Dems hoping to avoid the issue.

Obama turned out more than 2 million extra Latino voters in 2008 and they gave 67 percent of their vote which means that Obama could have lost key states like Florida, Nevada and Colorado without their help.

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