Gutierrez: Support For Obama Depends On Immigration Reform

April 16, 2011 2:33 PM

U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez. (CBS)

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CHICAGO (WBBM/CBS) – Congressman Luis Gutierrez said Saturday that he doesn’t know if he can support President Barack Obama’s bid for re-election in 2012 if he doesn’t do more to reform immigration policy.

“I have nothing but the greatest desire to vote for Barack Obama. I have nothing but the greatest desire to be helpful, and to join arms with him, and march across this country toward his re-election,” Gutierrez said Saturday. “But I cannot do that. We cannot do that, until we resolve the current conflict that exists between this administration and its immigration policy.”

Gutierrez said Obama needs to use his discretion to stop the deportation of immigrants whose children were born in the U.S.

“There are 4 million American citizen children and those 4 million American citizen children shouldn’t have a federal government whose main goal is the destruction of their family,” Gutierrez said.

LISTEN: Newsradio 780′s Mary Frances Bragiel reports

He also read a speech that the president delivered during the 2008 campaign, in which Obama said the system is not working and we need to change it.

Guiterrez told the crowd at a church in Pilsen that he realizes the administration cannot necessarily change the entire immigration policy. But he said he believes it should be changed to keep adult immigrants to stay in the U.S. if they pass a criminal background check and have children who were born here.

“It’s really not a question about a Republican candidate,” he said about possibly supporting another candidate. “It’s a question about how many people are going to turn out to vote and what the level of enthusiasm is going to be.”

Gutierrez has been on a multi-city tour to raise awareness of the effects of deportations on immigrants and their families.

He’s been hearing from immigrants caught in limbo by current immigration policy.

“I don’t owe my allegiance to a party. The party must owe its allegiance to the people,” he said. “I want to make sure comprehensive immigration reform comes about. I really, really hope it comes about in a Democratic administration, but I really wouldn’t care who gets the credit for it.”

Gutierrez is a major supporter of the DREAM Act — a federal proposal that gives illegal immigrants a pathway to citizenship through college enrollment and military service.

He also wants the government to offer options to illegal immigrant parents whose children are U.S. citizens.

(TM and © Copyright 2010 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS Radio and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

Gutierrez: Support For Obama Depends On Immigration Reform

OLD VET

excuse me mr. guttsie !! NO-NO ! ALL PEOPLE ENTERING THIS COUNTRY SHOULD DO IT LEGALLY LIKE MY PARENTS HAD TOO !! NO FREEBIES, LEARN ENGLISH, BECOME AN HONEST CITIZEN, AND DONT JUST HAVE KIDS TO BE ANCHORED HERE !!! NO-NO-NO-NO !!!

steverino

Did your parents have the easy opportunity to come here legally? Don’t you think that all these illegals would love to come here legally? Do you really think they want to sneak past the borders for fun? The immigrants add energy, money, and manpower to the US. Stop being a knee-jerk right winger and realize that these immigrants are providing the same benefits to the country as your parents.

Mr. Justice

Dump A$$ response. No, there are laws that need to be followed. We do not want illegals here in the United States. Why don’t you go and sneak across the border into Mexico and find out what happens to you! Go work in an emergency room and see how the illegals come in and abuse our health care system.

I applaud your comments Old Vet. Thank you for your service. That moron steverino probably never served one day in the military.
Bill

The difference is my parents came here legally.Can I go to Mexico and stay there legally just because I chose to go there?? Having babies here,the reason is obvious,to take advantage of a constitutional amendment meant for Black slaves so they could become actual U.S. citizens!!If Mexico took care of their own business,they don’t have to come here illegally.The U.S. government isn’t breaking up families.That is the result of the risk that illegal aliens took when they came !
ricardo

There is a big problem with that those same immigrants are also using our medical, food stamps, and much more assistance. These costs far out way any benefits that they bring to our communities. Also instead of investing here they send everything they earn back to Mexico, while we support them here.
Jeffrey

Manpower? Money? Are you ignorant or stupid. Stop being a bleeding heart liberal and realize that the immigration you refer to was 100 years ago when there was 50 million people in the whole dam country.
OLD VET

NO THEY DONT DO WHAT YOU SEEM TO THINK ! MOST ARE HIRED BY COMPANIES WHO SHOULD BE PUT OUT OF BUSINESS, ESPECIALLY LAWN PEOPLE WHO DO NOT PAY ANY TAXES ON THEM,OR S.S AND PAY THEM CASH UNDER THE TABLE ! ALSO THEY STEAL OUR MONEY BY LIVING FIVE AND SIX FAMILIES IN ONE HOUSE WITH 15 KIDS GOING TO SCHOOL ! THIS GOES ON RIGHT ACCROSS THE STREET FROM ONE OF MY FREINDS IN WAUKEGAN ILLINOIS ! THEY GET FREE LUNCHES TOO BOOT ! MY FAMILY HAD TO PAY THEIR WAY FROM DAY ONE, AND HAD TO HAVE SOMEONE ELSE GUARANTEE THAT THEY WOULD PAY MY FAMILIES BILLS UNTIL THEY GOT ON THEIR FEET AND SPOKE ENGLISH SO THEY COULD GET JOBS !!
Thomas Mroczka

Yeah well its morons like you who believe its okay to break laws and get away with it. How about all the states that are going bankrupt in part because of the resources they use and don’t pay for. How about using other peoples social security numbers and messing up their credit. I guess thats okay with you too. I’m a Democrat whose sick and tired of idiots like you making this into a right wing against liberal thing. It’s an American thing to want to know who the heck is in this country.

joe

FOOK him the little pip squeek!

AL

This is why this great city needs other Latino Leaders to rise up and lead. Gutirrez is only about keeping his job thru immigration reform, ask me what other thing has he done or completed for the Latino Culture. This is why smart Latino voters our looking elsewhere for leadership. Shame on you Luis.
Gabe

Stop the invasion already. What’s it gonna take ?
ticked off

If you are here illegally and you have a child here that does NOT make them a citizen. They are a citizen of where you are a citizen. Take them back with you and try to come in legally.

steverino

Anyone born here can be a citizen when they reach 18. Please learn the Constitution and think for yourself.

Mr. Justice

Yes, most of us know that dumb a$$. Ticked off just wants the laws of this country enforced. You need to go spew your verbal vomit somewhere else.
MIKE LIGUE

THE CONSTITUTION IS CLEAR A CHILD BORN HERE TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IS ILLEGAL ALSO,THE LAW IS CLEAR.WE HAVE JUST ALLOWED THE EXEMPTION TO FESTER TOO LONG.ONE MUST BE HERE LEGALLY TO HAVE THEIR CHILD BE A NATURAL BORN CITIZEN.THE LAW WAS ORIGINALLY INTENDED FOR FREED SLAVES TO HAVE CITIZENSHIP.
WORKINMAN2

PLEASE LEARN WHAT THE WORD”ILLEGAL”MEANS FIRST

Joann Butkus

TICKED OFF! I REALLY AGREE WITH YOU! I HAVE SAID THIS FOR YEARS! THESE JERKS WILL DO ANYTHING TO GET HERE, LEGAL OR NOT, DROP A BABY AND LIKE THE GAME OF TAG, YELL “OLLY, OLLY OCEAN, FRE,FREE, FREE! NOW YOU CAN’T DEPORT ME BECAUSE MY BABY IS A CITIZEN!!! WRONG WRONG, WRON!! LIKE YOU SAID , MOM BECOMES A CITIZEN, SO DOES BABY, OTHERWISE THE KID IS A CITIZEN OF THE MOM’S COUNTRY!

dizzy

LG thinks his only constituency is Latino…in 10 years I have not heard from or seen LG “my congressman”…most unfortunately he continually runs for reelection unapposed…
king bs

what kind of citizens?lationo gang bangers??wake up people!!

Joann Butkus

KING BS! YOU ROCK THE TRUTH MY FRIEND!

king bs

my bad ..latino gang bangers??

Right On

That’s ok, we knew what you meant.

Jeff Gavin

I guess ignorance is bliss in these replies.
stever

Mr. Gutierrez could learn a lesson from the Republicans. Uniform loyalty to the party leader is more important than quibbling about each detail accomplishment. Does Luis think that a Republican president would be more open to immigration reform? The President pushed for the DREAM act. That should have been enough for any Latino Congressman.
rdahlen

Plse,Luis is only talking as he has in the past and only cares about his
place in Polictics,ask yourself what has he done for chicago and the anything in
the latin community? A good used car salesman pitch?,your check is in the
mail????.
Jorge Zavala

Mr. Justice, you must be full blooded American Indian.

Mr. Justice

No, only 1/8 or 12.5 %. Doesn’t matter. The Indians were defeated. To the victor goes the spoils. That’s just the way it is, has been, and will be. Have a wonderful night Jorge.

Ed

I am hispanic, and I do not support this black mail!! If you came here illegally, then you need to be deported. I hope Obama doesn’t fall for this bull Gutierrez is selling!
AMERICAN

Congressman Luis Gutierrez needs to be kicked out of the United States, I bet he came here illegally.. Who the hell does he think he is threatening the President about supporting him unless illegals are allowed to stay here.

I think I can say I speak for the REAL American citizens, we sick and tired of them coming here and living off our tax dollars. Our Government needs to stop giving them free housing, food and medical at our expense.

It’s time to DEPORT every single one of them that has not learned to speak English or even attempted to apply for citizenship legally otherwise the people should start taking the law into their own hands because our government doesn’t do a damn thing..

Bill

Luis went to school at northeastern and was a member of the terrorist group called F.A.L.N. He is a piece of work that doesn’t like to pay his fair share of taxes on is residence.He’s a phony that his only trying to expand his latino base.Then he will secure all the votes as payback for the favor he gave.The taxpayers will continue to pay and pay and pay!!!!

Paul on NEWS cycles

Thanks for the dope on Luis. I always remember that he wants to represent the non-PR born folks, rather than Chicago’s large but not so large, and quite unblocked (voting) segment.
I believe he’s better at this poor illegal kick instead of the failed English/Spanish education and language push. That issue seems to have died. For poor legal or illegal non-US College grads, our minimum wage & the American dream remains large.
It always will be. There isn’t a ‘fence’ or deportation solution cheap enough or effective enough to keep folks out.
The DREAM act, college & Military service will chisel away some legal/illegal kids BUT the defense/WAR budget IS a way more important issue than legalization.
ANYONE want the NEWS outlets to go there? See the excellent piece in the recent TIME magazine OR http://www.time/com.

WORKINMAN2

THANK YOU!!!!

George K Johnson

4 real tho , it’s somthing fishy here from in my @ss to out an out against public policy and me in public WOW , this is going to be the greatest campaign year since 68. For the record as a african american democrat zealot I beleive that MY Beloved President Oboma is what is use to be know as a Reagan Democrat……….Can dead terminology be Resurracted? KEVIKEV
Joe

This POS is a Puerto Rican opportunist who plays on the ignorant Hispanics to get votes. Nothing more

Paul Soxside

How about amending ‘ignorant Hisp…’ to
Non-Educated illegal folks

McFyre

Sameold song and dancefrom a crooked POL.He was a PITA when he was in the CITY COUNCIL. Hey, Luis why don’t you and your daughter come clean aboutyour Real Estate holdings and the financial breaks you’ve received.
ISMAEL MARTINEZ

American, Luis came here legally. He happens to be part of the Puerto Rican independence movement. Him and Jesse help get the navy out of Puerto Rico and throw 16,000 Puerto Ricans on unemployment. Even tho He wants independence from the U.S. he loves the green money and the hipocrite serves in congress.He is part of a really small minority who want P.R. independence small just like him. I thank the United States for allowing Puerto Rico to be a commonwealth of the U.S. We would be boat people otherwise. Thanks
Jeffrey

This man hates anyone who is not Latino, period!

Roberta Waker

Jeffrey, You are 100% right. Most pro-immigrant organizations are pro-ILLEGAL and hiding behind the jobs Americans won’t do falacy. They are working good jobs Americans can’t get; they get free medical, education, housing, social services, drive cars without licenses or insurance; need interpreters for everything and WE are paying for it. We are tired of supporting them. If Obama supports immigration reform he will lose by a landslide. We need a President that will secure the borders and deport these freeloaders. Immigration will be a very big issue in 2012 elections so stand up and be counted FOR America, or go home.
Pablo Soltero

You see that history here after scanning just these few posts, most from Educated Hispanics with Citizenship.

Roberta Waker

Why do we need immigration reform when the United Sttes has the most generous immigration policies in the WORLD? You come here LEGALLY, learn ENGLISH (which most REFUSE to do); get a job and pay taxes. What’s so hard about that? What we REALLY need is ENFORCEMENT of current immigration laws. We can’t afford these ILLEGAL freeloaders. Why can’t they make their own country better with their “demonstrations” instead of destroying ours from within? LEGAL immigrants are welcome here – ILLEGALS GO HOME.
zarathrusta

I guess Obama won’t be able to ride that tidal wave of Latino votes (see Gery Chico).
CitizenFromDay1

Gutierrez is a traitor to the USA. And the 14th Amendment wasn’t written to confer our citizenship on babies born to people here illegally.
WORKINMAN2

Anyone who aids and abeds anyone who has broken the “LAW” is considered to be an accomplice and should be dealt with accordingly…..It’s “TREASON” to support another country that has broken the “LAWS” of the country where they are supposed to be a citizen, and “WHAT IS IT ABOUT “ILLEGAL” that people don’t want to understand?
WORKINMAN2

Our lawmakers are supporting lawbreaakers, maybe we should not pay taxes next year and see what happens or release all non violent criminals from jail for breaking the law to make a better life for their families…..if they want to be American citizens then accept the same consequences that we do for breaking the “LAW” why should breaking the “LAW” get them amnesty and comprehensive consideration, H#ll give us amnesty for making a mistake on our taxes and not penalize us, give us the right to say what and where our tax money goes to, our politicians are supposed to be the vioce of the people but they are disregarding our vioces and slapping the law abiding tax paying ”
LEGAL” citizens in the face..they need to stop whining when they get caught and their children have to go too, I the parents are “ILLEGAL” s0rry to say but all is “ILLEGAL”, if get caught stealing to feed my family I will be jailed thus being separated from my family, poor excuse for breaking the “LAW” these people knew darn well the consequences for sneaking in here and they have to pay the piper just like us citizens ahve to for breaking the “LA W “

Roberta Waker

You are absolutely right. If you or I break the law, we are fined or jailed, depending on the crime. These people break the law and are rewarded for it with free medical, education, food, housing, social services, and they even get the services of an interpreter because they WON’T learn ENGLISH. We NEED to make this the #1 issue in the 2012 elections. We can deal with the economy, wars, and everything else; but we just CAN’T afford these ILLEGALS. We need to stand together as Americans FOR America, while we still can.

OLD VET

OBAMA PROBABLY ASKED GUTTIERREZ TO SAY THAT TO STOKE THE FIRES UNDER THOSE VOTER WHO STUPIDLY ELECTED OBAMA LAST TIME !!

Roberta Waker

Maybe we should get a referendum on the 2012 ballot TELLING the President AND CONGRESS yet again that we want immigration laws enforced and the borders secured. While this IS the law; they don’t want to enforce it; a referendum will FORCE them to enforce immigration laws. Then it really won’t matter if Gutierrez wants immigration reform because it won’t be necessary.