President calls for immigration reform in State of the Union (again)

By Curt Prendergast

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Nogales, AZ — It looks like President Obama didn’t have to pull an all-nighter to get his message on immigration ready for the State of the Union address.

Here are his comments on immigration in Tuesday’s State of the Union address:

“Let’s also remember that hundreds of thousands of talented, hard-working students in this country face another challenge: the fact that they aren’t yet American citizens. Many were brought here as small children, are American through-and-through. Yet they live every day with the threat of deportation. Others came more recently, to study business, and science, and engineering. But as soon as they get their degree we send them home, to invent new products and create new jobs somewhere else. That doesn’t make sense.

I believe as strongly as ever that we should take on illegal immigration, that is why my administration has put more boots on the border than ever before. That’s why there are fewer illegal crossings than when I took office. The opponents of action are out of excuses. We should be working on comprehensive immigration reform right now. (Applause) But if election-year politics keeps Congress from acting on a comprehensive plan, let’s at least agree to stop expelling responsible young people who want to staff our labs, start new businesses, defend this country. Send me a law that gives them the chance to earn their citizenship. I will sign it right away.” (Watch it here, during minutes 23:40-25:30)

These comments echoed, almost word-for-word, his State of the Union address in 2011:

“One last point about education.  Today, there are hundreds of  thousands of students excelling in our schools who are not American  citizens.  Some are the children of undocumented workers, who had nothing to do with the actions of their parents. They grew up as  Americans and pledge allegiance to our flag, and yet they live every day with the threat of deportation.  Others come here from abroad to study  in our colleges and universities.  But as soon as they obtain advanced degrees, we send them back home to compete against us.  It makes no sense.

Now, I strongly believe that we should take on, once and for all, the issue of illegal immigration.  And I am prepared to work with  Republicans and Democrats to protect our borders, enforce our laws and  address the millions of undocumented workers who are now living in the  shadows.  (Applause.)  I know that debate will be difficult.  I know it  will take time.  But tonight, let’s agree to make that effort.  And  let’s stop expelling talented, responsible young people who could be  staffing our research labs or starting a new business, who could be  further enriching this nation.  (Applause.)” (Watch it here)

Immigration was not mentioned in the GOP response to this year’s address, delivered by Indiana governor Mitch Daniels (Watch it here), nor was it mentioned by President Obama when he spoke at an Intel plant in Chandler, Ariz. on Wednesday (Watch it here).

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