What to expect from Obama's speech

Obama to give major speech on immigration reform

(AFP) – 3 hours ago

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama will give a major speech Thursday calling for action to fix America's broken immigration system, though few observers believe any major reform can pass this year.

Obama will speak at American University in Washington in an effort to ignite new momentum behind the massive and politically problematic drive to secure US borders and deal with millions of illegal immigrants.

"He thought this was a good time to talk plainly with the American people about his views on immigration," White House deputy spokesman Bill Burton said on Wednesday.

"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."

The venue for Thursday's speech is symbolic to Obama. It was at American University in 2008 that he received the endorsement of Democratic icon Senator Edward Kennedy -- which gave a huge boost to his presidential primary campaign.

Kennedy was a long-time advocate of immigration reform, and a dominant player when a comprehensive bill on the issue fell short of passing during president George W. Bush's second term.

The already tense political debate on the issue has become extra polarized in recent months, following the passage of an Arizona immigration law which critics say encourages racial profiling, and as congressional elections loom.

Prospects for passage of any kind of comprehensive immigration law this year look slim, given the limited time before November's elections and the partisan political climate.

Some Obama critics have even questioned whether Obama believes there is a chance of action this year, and have speculated he wants to blame Republicans for failing to act on an issue vital to Hispanic voters -- a key demographic.

The president has warned that for any bill to pass he needs the support of Republicans, some of whom brand the idea of offering a path to citizenship for 11 million illegal immigrants as an unwise "amnesty."

A preliminary, bi-partisan effort to frame new comprehensive immigration legislation foundered in the Senate earlier this year.

That bill could have required undocumented immigrants to pass background checks and demonstrate they are proficient in English before they can earn lawful permanent residence and eventually citizenship.

Prospective employers would have to swipe the new Social Security cards through a machine to confirm the worker's identity and immigration status.

Those who do not swipe the cards or hire unauthorized workers would be made to pay "stiff fines" and face prison sentences for repeat offenses.

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Someone should ask why DREAM can't be passed separately.