In his first major speech on immigration policy, President Obama today blamed yet another year of stalling on immigration reform on partisan politics and the upcoming elections. Despite the president’s call upon both parties to take responsibility and confront the challenge of immigration reform at some unknown point in the future, Obama did not give advocates of immigration reform much hope for real reform this year.

In a political climate infused with fear about our economic stability and power, the president highlighted the historical correlation between the influx of immigrants to the United States and the ingenuity and innovation we have presented to the world, guaranteeing our country as a prominent global economic powerhouse.

The president used the remainder of his speech to set forth his vision of immigration reform, one that didn’t quite match
the vision for reform the NYCLU has.

He called for a pathway to citizenship that requires undocumented immigrants to admit to breaking the law by entering the U.S. illegally, pay a fine, and get in line to adjust their immigration status; secure borders; and a system that would make it easier for American businesses and farmers to get the labor they need. He was silent on the human rights crisis festering across the country, and said nothing of due process rights, ending local enforcement of immigration law or humane detention conditions.

Among the bright spots of the speech was when President Obama talked about the DREAM Act, a bill that would allow upwards of 1 million young people who grew up in the U.S. and know no other home the opportunity to become naturalized citizens after finishing at least two years of college or military service. For months now, undocumented immigrant students who were brought here by no fault of their own when they were small children have been putting pressure on the Obama administration and Senate leadership to move on the DREAM Act, holding rallies and demonstrations around the country, and even engaging in civil disobedience through sit-ins inside and camp-outs in front of Senate offices.

All in all, the president’s speech leaves everyone in the movement wondering, what’s next? While it was nice that President Obama gave some much needed attention to this issue of immigration reform, it is too little too late in a year dominated by partisan election politics. Instead of the speech serving as a call for urgent action, it seemed more of a signing-off by the administration on the issue for this year, and perhaps even a last ditch effort to appease Latino voters before the November election.

But our elected officials need to know that won’t stand. Say it loud and proud: Immigration. Reform. Now.