Posted on May 10, 2011

Obama Courts Latino Voters with Immigration Speech

Michael D. Sheer, The Caucus, May 10, 2011

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Now, facing a re-election campaign next year, the White House is embarking on a public relations effort to reassure Latino supporters who say they are frustrated by the president’s failure to deliver on his immigration promise.

On Tuesday, Mr. Obama will travel to the United States border with Mexico to kick off a series of community conversations about the need for immigration reform. In a speech in El Paso, Mr. Obama will urge Congress to act, though officials said he would not unveil legislation nor demand a specific timeline.

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In his speech, Mr. Obama plans to issue what officials said will be a “call to action” in which he urges Americans to pressure Republicans in Congress. The officials said the president will lay out his administration’s efforts to secure the border and will promote the economic benefits of a comprehensive immigration overhaul.

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White House officials said Mr. Obama would offer a “blueprint” on Tuesday for making progress toward an immigration overhaul and said it would look similar to the statements he has made over the past year.

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