Obama Comes Out in Support of Same-Sex Partnership in Immigration Reform

On Friday, President Barack Obama came out in support of a proposal to include same-sex partnership in immigration and said that the inclusion of the clause should not be a reason to derail immigration reform. His comments were in reference to a proposal by Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont, who wants the immigration legislation amended to allow gay Americans sponsor their foreign-born partners for green cards.

Leahy’s plans have raised concerns in some circles that the delicate balance reached after hours of negotiations over immigration reform may be lost and things may go back to square one. Some fear that such a clause to include sponsorship of same-sex partners for immigration may encounter fierce opposition from conservatives, who have the power to stop the immigration overhaul.

Obama supported Leahy’s plan, but stressed that the broader goals of immigration reform must not be forgotten.

Indicating that the immigration reform required compromises on every front, the President said, “I can tell you I think that this provision is the right thing to do. I can also tell you I’m not going to get everything I want in this bill. Republicans are not going to get everything that they want in this bill.”

Currently, Obama is on a tour of Latin America, and immigration reform is one of his major selling points. On the visit of the first U.S. President since 1997 to Costa Rica, the Latin American country declared a national holiday.

With the current standoff over finance measures and the budget, and the recent loss over gun control, immigration reform is of the highest priority on the agenda of the President.