Comprehensive immigration reform to be passed by the US Congress

Updated on: Friday, April 05, 2013

US President Barack Obama has said that he is "very optimistic" on having a comprehensive immigration reform passed by the Congress and then signed into law by him in the next few months.

"I am very optimistic that we get immigration reform done in the next few months. The reason I'm optimistic is because people spoke out through the ballot box, and that's breaking gridlock," Obama said at a Democratic Party fundraiser event in California.

"I believe that we can get comprehensive immigration reform passed and that is going to mean that America can continue to be a nation of laws, but also a nation of immigrants, and attract the best and the brightest from all around the world. And if we push hard and we stay focused, we've got the opportunity to get this done over the next couple of months," he said.

The immigration reform is not only expected to draw a road map for citizenship to 11 million illegal immigrants, but also a quick and smoother citizenship to highly qualified and skilled professionals from countries like India.

While given the bi-partisan support the immigration reform is gaining among lawmakers, he hoped that it would soon see the light of the day.

But for gun control laws - the other major reform he is pushing through - Obama conceded that it would a tough.

"I believe that we have a chance to, after 30 years, frankly, of doing almost nothing, to reduce gun violence in our society. And it's going to be hard, it's going to be tough, but I think we've got a chance to get some stuff done on that," he said.

"Now, one of the things that I want to be very clear on is that this year, next year, and for the next four years that I'm in office, I am always going to be seeking, wherever I can, bipartisan solutions.

"I intend to continue to reach out to Republicans because I genuinely believe that the politics that you see in Washington isn't representative of America; that most people actually have common sense, and most folks think cooperation and occasional compromise is part of life. And I also think that we have to govern, not simply politick," he said.

"Whether it's on immigration reform or the budget or any of these issues, I will continue to do everything I can to reach out to my friends on the other side of the aisle. Look, I believe that they love their kids and this country just as much as we do, and although we may have some very fundamental disagreements about how to get there, I don't think we've got a disagreement about what we need to be as a nation," he said.

"Having said that, though, there are still some really big arguments that we're having in Washington, and I believe that Democrats represent those values that will best advance the interests of middle-class families and everybody who is willing to work hard to get into the middle class; that will grow this economy in a broad-based way, and that will lay the foundation for prosperity for generations to come," he said.

Comprehensive immigration reform to be passed by the US Congress

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