we're going to make our country more secure; we'll strengthen our families; and most importantly,
we will live --
AUDIENCE MEMBER: Mr. Obama --
THE PRESIDENT: -- most importantly, we will live up --
AUDIENCE MEMBER: -- my family has been separated for 19 months now --
THE PRESIDENT: -- most importantly, we will live up to our character as a nation.
AUDIENCE MEMBER: I've not seen my family.
Our families are separated.
I need your help.
There are thousands of people --
THE PRESDIENT: That's exactly what we're talking about.
AUDIENCE MEMBER: -- are torn apart every single day.
THE PRESIDENT: That's why we're here.
AUDIENCE MEMBER: Mr. President, please use your executive order to halt deportations
for all 11.5 undocumented immigrants in this country right now.
THE PRESIDENT: What we're trying --
AUDIENCE MEMBER: Do you agree
AUDIENCE: Obama!
Obama!
AUDIENCE MEMBER: -- that we need to pass comprehensive immigration reform at the same time we -- you
have a power to stop deportation for all undocumented immigrants in this country.
THE PRESIDENT: Actually I don't.
And that's why we're here.
AUDIENCE MEMBER: So, please, I need your help.
THE PRESIDENT: Okay --
AUDIENCE MEMBER: Stop deportations!
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you.
All right.
AUDIENCE MEMBERS: Stop deportations!
Stop deportations!
THE PRESIDENT: What I'd like to do -- no, no, don't worry about it, guys.
Okay, let me finish.
AUDIENCE MEMBERS: Stop deportations!
Yes, we can!
Stop deportations!
THE PRESIDENT: These guys don't need to go.
Let me finish.
No, no, no, he can stay there.
Hold on a second.
(Applause.)
Hold on a second.
So I respect the passion of these young people because they feel deeply about the concerns
for their families.
Now, what you need to know, when I'm speaking as President of the United States and I come
to this community, is that if, in fact, I could solve all these problems without passing
laws in Congress, then I would do so.
But we're also a nation of laws.
That's part of our tradition.
And so the easy way out is to try to yell and pretend like I can do something by violating
our laws.
And what I'm proposing is the harder path, which is to use our democratic processes to
achieve the same goal that you want to achieve.
But it won't be as easy as just shouting.
It requires us lobbying and getting it done.
(Applause.)
So for those of you who are committed to getting this done, I am going to march with you and
fight with you every step of the way to make sure that we are welcoming every striving,
hardworking immigrant who sees America the same way we do -- as a country where no matter
who you are or what you look like or where you come from, you can make it if you try.
And if you're serious about making that happen, then I'm ready to work with you.
(Applause.)
But it is going to require work.
It is not simply a matter of us just saying we're going to violate the law.
That's not our tradition.
The great thing about this country is we have this wonderful process of democracy, and sometimes
it is messy, and sometimes it is hard, but ultimately, justice and truth win out.
That's always been the case in this country; that's going to continue to be the case today.
(Applause.)
Thank you very much, everybody.
God bless you.
God bless America.
(Applause.)