President of the United States Barack Obama said today that the House of Representatives "needs to act so I can sign common-sense immigration reform into law." He urged the House to approve the proposition which many believe are being stalled.
The overhaul of the immigration law, recently approved by the United States Senate, was the major point of Obama's weekly address today. The reform enables illegal settlers in the country, which reports say total to about 11 million, to gain American citizenship.
An American citizenship grants unregistered aliens to gain benefits from the government, as well as more job opportunities.
However, detractors said that non-Americans have been taking 'jobs made for Americans' away.
"In street corners all over this country, there are kids who have nothing to do," said Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont. He said that young Americans are jobless because of foreigners being hired.
This statement is made in relation to the government's Summer Work Travel program. The program allows foreign students to work in the United States for four months via sponsor visa.
Complaints have mounted regarding this program, highlighting what could possibly be a hurdle to the approval of Obama's plan for immigration reform.
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