US President Barack Obama said on Tuesday that long-awaited reforms regarding the immigration system were within America’s grasp and that it was time to address the issue as it will “strengthen America’s economy and future”.
Speaking at Del Sol High School in Las Vegas, Nevada, he also praised a bipartisan group of senators who on Monday unveiled their own guidelines for legislation on the immigration issue.
“The good news is that for the first time in many years, both Republican and Democrats appear ready to deal with the problem together,” Obama said.
The President’s immigration reform includes strengthening border controls, improving workplace checks to intercept future illegal immigration, increasing penalties on employers who hire undocumented people and permanent residency and citizenship would be given for illegal immigrants under some restrains.
The plan would allow about 11 million illegal immigrants to obtain citizenship and would also allow foreign students to remain in the United States after completing their studies, which would boost their economy.
