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Obama: Illegals to have "full participation" in the US
Tuesday, August 11, 2009  Standing beside his counterparts in Mexico and Canada, President Obama today predicted ultimate victory after a "vigorous" debate over health care, and added he is hopeful of seeing a revamped immigration system. "When all is said on health care reform, the American people are going to be glad that we acted to change an unsustainable system so that more people have coverage," Obama said following a North America summit in Guadalajara, Mexico. Immigration reform is "also in the long-term interests of the United States," Obama said. "We have a broken immigration system. Nobody denies it." Obama took questions along with Mexican President Felipe Calderon and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. All pledged common efforts to revive the global economy, fight drug traffickers, and address global warming. Want a More Secure American Border? Select Here Now! Among other highlights: Obama said a new immigration system will be difficult to achieve: "It's going to require bipartisan cooperation. There are going to be demagogues out there who try to suggest that any form of pathway for legalization for those who are already in the United States is unacceptable. ... "But ultimately I think the American people want fairness. And we can create a system in which you have strong border security, we have an orderly process for people to come in, but we're also giving an opportunity for those who are already in the United States to be able to achieve a pathway to citizenship so that they don't have to live in the shadows and their children and their grandchildren can have a full participation in -- in the United States." Obama said he is not trying emulate Canada's government-run health care system: "I've said that the Canadian model works for Canada. It would not work for the United States, in part simply because we've evolved differently. ... We've got to develop a uniquely American approach to this problem." He also told a reporter it's a little early to guess how next year's congressional elections are going to go: "We've got to develop a uniquely American approach to this problem." Some play-by-play of the news conference after the jump: 12:38 p.m- Mexican President Felipe Calderon, host of this North American summit, opens the news conference, calling the meetings "fruitful." Says the leaders talked about economic cooperation, the drug wars, ways to curb global warming, and the continuing threat of the swine flu virus, which "will be back this winter." Want a More Secure American Border? Select Here Now! 12:47 p.m.- Stephen Harper of Canada goes second, speaking French. Also stresses economic cooperation. Harper then repeats comments in English, thanking his colleagues for "candid" talks on the economy, health security, and energy and the environment. Praised Calderon for fighting the drug cartels in Mexico, calling them a problem for all of North America. 12:52 p.m. - Here goes Obama, stressing the common challenges of the United States, Mexico, and Canada and a "productive summit." Cites the need for "common propspery", including help for car companies and a rejection of trade protectionism. Calls for "legal migration," including borders that are "safe and secure." Lauds investment in renewable fuel sources and "green jobs." Also praises Calderon's battle against drug cartels. 12:59 p.m.- First question, from a Mexican journalist, asks Obama about violence in Mexico. Has to ask it twice, because the first translation to English failed. Obama cites U.S. help in fighting the drug cartels. "I have great confidence in President Calderon's administration," Obama says, including respect for human rights that the drug dealers lack. Calderon also responds, saying his government is "hitting" the drug cartels hard. 1:10 p.m. - Canadian reporter asks all three leaders about "Buy American" provisions in the economic stimulus bill. Also asks Obama if he wants to emulate aspects of the Canadian health care system. Obama says Harper brings up "Buy American" every time they speak. Adds that he didn't support the provision, but didn't want it to "bog down" necessary legislation. Says it does not represent a "sweeping" new form of protectionism, but is confined to specific industries. As for health care, Obama says his country in the midst of a "healthy" debate -- and adds that the Canadian model "works well for Canada," but would not work well for the United States. "We've got to develop a uniquely American approach to this problem," he says. Chides his opponents for casting Canadians and their health care system as "bogeymen." Harper says he and Obama had a good talk about Buy American. Notes that he and Obama have a one-on-one next month in Washington. Avoids the health care question. 1:19 p.m. - Ginger Thompson of The New York Times asks Obama about the prospects for both health care and immigration legislation, and how they might affect mid-term elections. Obama notes those elections are more than a year away, and predicts "we'll do just fine." Says people will eventually demand changes to a health care system that is not working well. Want a More Secure American Border? Select Here Now! Also says an improved immigration system is also in the long-term interests of the United States. "I've got a lot on my plate," the president adds, throwing energy and financial regulatory bills into the mix. Acknowledges that political challenges of immigration, including "demagogues" who oppose any path to citizenship. Obama, unprompted, also blasted critics who said the United States should intervene in the government dispute on Honduras: "The same critics who say that the United States has not intervened enough in Honduras are the same people who say that we're always intervening and the Yankees need to get out of Latin America. You can't have it both ways." Original Article |
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