Pushing Immigration Overhaul, Obama Swears In New Americans

President Obama presided over a ceremony swearing in new American citizens at the White House on Monday as part of his pitch for legislation that would overhaul the nation’s immigration laws.

Mr. Obama offered a testimonial to the benefits of immigration after watching 28 men and women, including some who have served in the United States armed forces, take the oath of citizenship. The ceremony came as momentum builds for a plan to legalize millions of other foreigners now in the country illegally.

“After avoiding the problem for years, the time has come to fix it once and for all; the time has come for comprehensive, sensible immigration reform,” Mr. Obama told the invited audience in the East Room.

He noted that lawmakers were working across party lines to develop proposals. “I applaud them for that,” he said. “We are making progress. But we’ve got to finish the job. This issue is not new. Everyone knows what’s broken, everyone knows how to fix it.”

Mr. Obama said he expected a bill to be put forward soon and for debate to open in Congress next month. Any solution to the problem, he said, should include a pathway to “earned citizenship,” meaning that illegal immigrants must pay back taxes and penalties and get in line behind those who have sought citizenship legally.

“Let’s get this done,” he said. “Let’s do it in a way that keeps faith with our history and our values. No other country on earth welcomes as many new arrivals as we do.”

Mr. Obama, who has had such naturalization ceremonies at the White House several times over his four years in office, singled out new citizens from Ukraine, South Africa, Nigeria and St. Lucia.

“I know this is an incredibly special moment for you, for your families,” he said, “but I have to say it’s a special moment for the rest of us as well, because as we look out across this room, we’re reminded that what makes somebody American isn’t just their bloodlines, it’s not just an accident of birth; it’s a fidelity to our founding principles, a faith in the idea that anyone, anywhere can write the next chapter in this American story.”