Obama: Start Immigration Reform This Year

He reaffirms support after backing away last week
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted May 5, 2010 6:22 PM CDT
Obama: Start Immigration Reform This Year
President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama attend a celebration of Cinco de Mayo in the Rose Garden.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

President Obama seemed to deliver a death blow last week to the prospects of immigration reform by saying "there may not be an appetite" for another controversial issue in Congress. At the White House today, he administered a little life support, reports USA Today. "I want to begin work this year and I want Democrats and Republicans to work with me," he said at a Cinco de Mayo celebration.

Obama said he wanted to reaffirm his support "just in case anyone's confused." He didn't talk about completing an immigration bill this year, just starting one, notes AP, which is probably wise given the prospects of quick bipartisan agreement. He also took a few more shots at Arizona, saying that "you can't start singling people out" and guessing that people wanted to get home to watch the "Los Suns" game. (More President Obama stories.)

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