Obama vows to fight for big immigration bill

President Obama told a group of Hispanic lawmakers today he will continue fighting for a "comprehensive" immigration bill in the face of Republican obstructionism.

"Congress still needs to come up with a long-term immigration solution," Obama said in addressing the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials.

Obama spoke a week after announcing a policy blocking deportations of children of illegal immigrants, somewhat mirroring a bill that had been languishing in Congress.

"It falls short of where we need to be -- a path to citizenship," Obama said. "It's not a permanent fix."

The president spoke a day after Republican candidate Mitt Romney addressed the same group of Latino lawmakers. Obama reminded the group that Romney has pledged to veto the "DREAM Act," which would provide a path to citizenship for young people who attend college or join the military.

"We should have passed the DREAM Act a long time ago." Obama said.

In his speech Thursday, Romney did not say whether he would repeal Obama's deportation policy.

The Republican candidate did say Obama is politicizing the issue and pledged to work with both parties to forge a consensus on immigration issues. Romney said Obama's economic policies hurt all Americans, including Hispanics.

Polls give Obama a huge lead over Romney among Hispanic voters, the nation's largest growing demographic.

Obama spoke on economics during his remarks, stressing education and health care initiatives.

The struggling economy is not where it should be, Obama acknowledged. "The question," he said, "is how do we make the economy grow faster."

As for immigration, Obama wants "comprehensive reform," which would combine border security with a pathway to citizenship for illegals who are already in the USA.

Not long ago, Obama said, Republicans such as President George W. Bush and John McCain backed a comprehensive bill. Now pro-immigration Republicans are blocked by "a small faction of their own party," Obama said.

Critics of Obama's approach say a pathway to citizenship amounts to amnesty for people in the USA illegally.

Obama told the Hispanic audience he will work with any Republican on the immigration issue.

"My door has been open for three-and-a-half years," Obama said. "They know where to find me."