President Barak Obama has asked that a major overhaul on immigration take place. This was his first major speech on the issue having made immigration reform an issue amid pressure from border states over illegal immigration.

Obama’s main push was on creating “a practical, common-sense approach that reflects our heritage and our values.” He commented on how the United States had become great as a nation of immigrants and that now “political posturing” was holding reform back.

He emphasized the importance of working together for a common goal or a national standard on immigration reform and also pointed out that this would not happen without the cooperation of the Republications and Democrats working together.

The White House had announced that recent event such was the recently enacted Arizona law had prompted Obama to make the speech. While the Arizona law, which makes it criminal to be illegal, has divided the country Obama pointed out that it has highlighted a nationwide frustration.

“Everywhere people have expressed frustration with a system that seems fundamentally broken," he said.

With regard to finding a solution he said “The majority of Americans are skeptical of a blanket amnesty and they are also skeptical that it is possible to round up and deport 11 million people.”

"It would tear at the very fabric of this nation because immigrants who are here illegally are already intricately woven into that fabric."

He gave two examples of those illegals that have become undocumented without choice or realization. He spoke about an illegal migrant who had children and brought them to the United States. These children might not realize they are undocumented until they apply for college. There are also those who have been part of the labor force for generations working as farmers and agricultural producers.

He said "Once we get past the two poles of this debate it is possible to shape a practical common-sense approach that reflects our heritage and our values.

"The question now is whether we will have the courage and the political will to pass a bill through Congress, to finally get it done.
"The fact is, that without bipartisan support... we cannot solve this problem. Reform that brings accountability to our immigration system cannot pass without Republican votes.

Though his speech seemed to be given in urgent tones he did not mention when Congress should act.
Bill Burton the White House spokesperson said President Obama “thought this was a good time to talk plainly with the American people about his view on immigration.”

In recent months it seems that the Health Bill and the BP Oil Spill have pushed Immigration Reform down the list on the president’s agenda.