WASHINGTON – As an influx of immigrant kids is causing a mess at the border and political headaches in DC, President Obama hosted a July 4th naturalization ceremony for 25 active duty military service members who became citizens through their service.
“Our country’s better for you being part of it,” Obama told the new citizens shortly after they swore allegiance to the country in a citizenship oath by a top Homeland Security official.
“Together all of you remind us that America is and always has been a nation of immigrants,” he told the newest Americans in the East Room of the White House.
“If we want to keep attracting the best and the brightest from beyond our shores, we’re going to have to fix our immigration system, which is broken, and pass common-sense immigration reform,” he said.
With the hopes of getting his immigration agenda through Congress now dashed, Obama said: “I’m going to keep doing everything I can to make our immigration system smarter and more efficient” – a reference to his plan to make changes through solo executive actions if needed.
The president then invited the soldiers to a star spangled barbecue at the White House for Fourth of July fireworks in rain-soaked DC.
The ceremony is a tradition Obama has upheld before, but the orchestrated feel-good moment took on added significance Friday, amid an uproar over 52,000 unaccompanied children who have crossed the border this year, mostly from Central America.
The arrivals were greeted by angry protesters concerned about the influx in some border areas, and the administration is scrambling to figure out how to house and process them.
One of the servicemen singled out by Obama on Friday, Oscar Gonzalez, was born in Guatemala and became a Marine. “Well, Oscar, welcoming you as an American citizen makes our country a little more complete, so thank you,” Obama told him.
This week, Obama announced he’ll take a series of executive actions to try to fix the nation’s broken immigration system, after House Speaker John Boehner told him the House won’t vote on a comprehensive Senate immigration bill this summer.
Obama is under pressure to visit the border when he goes to Texas next week to attend three Democratic Party fundraisers.
Texas Gov. Rick Perry on Thursday called for Obama to put new “boots on the ground” by sending the National Guard to the border, and to send the immigrant kids back to their home countries.
“Secure this border, Mr. President,” Perry, a 2012 Republican presidential contender and possible 2016 candidate, urged him.
On immigrant children, Perry said: “Allowing them to remain here will only encourage the next group of individuals to undertake this dangerous and life-threatening journey here.”
To demonstrate how immigrants can contribute to the economy, Obama also honored Chef Jose Andres, a naturalized American and former Spaniard who has opened popular tapas restaurants in DC, Beverly Hills, and other locales.