President Obama Calls for Quick Quick Passage on Immigration Reform
By: NBC News
Updated: January 29, 2013
The push is on as the President calls for quick passage of immigration reform.
"The good news is that for the first time in many years- Republicans and Democrats seem ready to tackle this problem together," said Obama.
Choosing Nevada to unveil his plan, where Latinos make up close to 30 percent of the population, the proposal includes a path to citizenship.
Undocumented immigrants would have to register with the Federal Government, pay fines and back taxes, and undergo background checks.
But not before increased border security can be proven, a provision Republicans insist upon.
Illegal immigrants would go to the back of the line, and receive green cards only after every lawful applicant has gone through the process.
The President's re-election with 70-percent of the Latino vote has resulted in a shift toward compromise, as seen with a bi-partisan immigration reform plan released on Capitol Hill.
Still no legislation, just framework, but considered a huge leap forward.
"More and more Americans are agreeing that these 11 million people need to come out of the shadows- and we need to give them a path to citizenship but not favoritism," said Senator John McCain.
Republicans remain deeply divided on the plans, and the passage of legislation is uncertain.
