By Saniya Ghanoui -- July 1, 2010
President Barack Obama is scheduled to speak Thursday about immigration reform in hopes of restarting the effort to pass new legislation regarding the issue.
The hot topic has come under fire lately after Arizona passed an immigration law that has been criticized for causing racial profiling.
Speaking at American University in Washington, Obama is expected to remind the public he does not support this new legislation in Arizona while still emphasizing the need for an immigration overhaul.
The speech today is more to gain momentum and rally support than to announce any new policies or procedures.
However some are disappointed he has not done more to fulfill the promise of his first year of making immigration his top priority. Yet the chance that new reform will pass this year is slim given the bi-partisan political debate and the upcoming November elections.
"He thought this was a good time to talk plainly with the American people about his views on immigration," said White House deputy spokesman Bill Burton.
"He thinks this debate is about accountability - accountability for securing the border, accountability for employers who are hiring illegal immigrants, and accountability for those who are in this country illegally," said Burton.
Obama has said in order for any new legislation to pass, he would need the support of both parties.
However some Republicans are not happy with the idea to allow 11 million illegal immigrants a path to citizenship, calling the offer reckless "amnesty."
Earlier this year there was a bi-partisan attempt in the Senate to start new immigration legislation.
That bill would have required undocumented immigrants to show they can speak English proficiently and pass background tests before they would earn legal residence.
(Photo courtesy: AP Images)
