NY Times: It Is Time for Immigration Reform and for Obama to Produce Results

In an editorial in today's edition, the New York Times chastizes President Barack Obama for not producing any concrete results on immigration to date. The newspaper argues that it is time to have immigration reform and that the president must produce results on this issue, as he owes it to the Latino voters who supported him in last year's election and, perhaps more importantly, he owes it to the millions of undocumented immigrants (and their families) who are suffering under the current system. The editorial recognizes that the reform requires the active support of legislators from both parties.

The editorial states:

"Now it’s Mr. Obama’s turn to lead the country to a different result. No one is expecting a huge bill to pass in a matter of weeks or even months. But there are things he can do right now that will underscore his seriousness.

"It boils down to a simple question: If you accept legalization for the undocumented as desirable and inevitable, then why continue to put them through hell?

"As they wait for a legalization bill, they are suffering under unjust laws, corrupt policing and a detention and deportation system that routinely suppresses their rights. American citizens who are Hispanic, and are all too frequently victims of racially-driven sweeps, are also suffering. Mr. Obama and his Homeland Security secretary, Janet Napolitano, must do much more to curb those excesses."

The complete editorial can be read here.

Earlier today, President Obama spoke at the Esperanza National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast. At this event with Hispanic faith leaders, the President repeated his commitment to achieve immigration reform. In his speech (which can be read here), he stated:

"The American people -- the American people believe in immigration, but they also believe that we can't tolerate a situation where people come to the United States in violation of the law, nor can we tolerate employers who exploit undocumented workers in order to drive down wages. That's why we're taking steps to strengthen border security, and we must build on those efforts. We must also clarify the status of millions who are here illegally, many who have put down roots. For those who wish to become citizens, we should require them to pay a penalty and pay taxes, learn English, go to the back of the line behind those who played by the rules. That is the fair, practical, and promising way forward, and that's what I'm committed to passing as President of the United States"

As predicted out by the NY Times, however, the President did not make any significant revelations about how he was going to pass immigration reform.