President Obama promotes immigration reform during speech

Now, to grow our middle class, our citizens have to have access to the education and training that today's jobs require. But we also have to make sure that America remains a place where everyone who's willing to work -- everybody who's willing to work hard has the chance to get ahead.

Our economy is stronger when we harness the talents and ingenuity of striving, hopeful immigrants. (Applause.) And right now, leaders from the business, labor, law enforcement, faith communities -- they all agree that the time has come to pass comprehensive immigration reform. (Applause.) Now is the time to do it. Now is the time to get it done. Now is the time to get it done. (Applause.)

Real reform means strong border security, and we can build on the progress my administration has already made -- putting more boots on the Southern border than at any time in our history and reducing illegal crossings to their lowest levels in 40 years.

Real reform means establishing a responsible pathway to earned citizenship -- a path that includes passing a background check, paying taxes and a meaningful penalty, learning English, and going to the back of the line behind the folks trying to come here legally. (Applause.)

And real reform means fixing the legal immigration system to cut waiting periods and attract the highly-skilled entrepreneurs and engineers that will help create jobs and grow our economy. (Applause.)

In other words, we know what needs to be done. And as we speak, bipartisan groups in both chambers are working diligently to draft a bill, and I applaud their efforts. So let's get this done. Send me a comprehensive immigration reform bill in the next few months, and I will sign it right away. And America will be better for it. (Applause.) Let's get it done. Let's get it done.

But we can't stop there. We know our economy is stronger when our wives, our mothers, our daughters can live their lives free from discrimination in the workplace, and free from the fear of domestic violence. Today, the Senate passed the Violence Against Women Act that Joe Biden originally wrote almost 20 years ago. And I now urge the House to do the same. (Applause.) Good job, Joe. And I ask this Congress to declare that women should earn a living equal to their efforts, and finally pass the Paycheck Fairness Act this year. (Applause.)

Spanish translation

Now, to grow our middle class, our citizens must have access to the education and training that today's jobs require. But we also have to make sure that America remains a place where everyone who is willing to work - everyone who is willing to work hard has the opportunity to get ahead.

Our economy is stronger when we can tap into the talent and ingenuity of struggling and hopeful immigrants. (Applause.) And right now, leaders of business, labor, law enforcement, the faith communities - all agree that the time has come to pass comprehensive immigration reform. (Applause.) Now is the time to do it. Now is the time to do it. Now is the time to do it. (Applause.)

Real reform means strong border security, and we can build on the progress my administration has already made - putting more boots on the southern border than at any time in our history and reducing illegal crossings to their lowest level in 40 years.

Real reform means establishing a path to citizenship that is accountable and earned - a path that includes a background check, paying taxes and a significant fine, learning English, and going to the back of the line behind the people who are already trying to come here legally. (Applause.)

And real reform means fixing the legal immigration system to reduce wait times and attract highly skilled entrepreneurs and engineers who will help create jobs and grow our economy. (Applause.)

In other words, we know what needs to be done. And right now, bipartisan groups in both chambers are working diligently to draft a bill, and I applaud their efforts. So let's get it done. Send me a comprehensive immigration reform bill in the next few months, and I will sign it immediately. And America will be better off for it. (Applause.) Let's do it. Let's get it done.

But we cannot stop here. We know that our economy is stronger when our wives, our mothers, our daughters can live their lives free from discrimination in the workplace, and free from the fear of domestic violence. Today, the Senate passed the Violence Against Women Act that Joe Biden originally wrote nearly 20 years ago. And now I urge the House to do the same. (Applause.) Good job, Joe! And I ask this Congress to declare that women should earn a wage that matches their efforts, and finally pass the Paycheck Fairness Act this year. (Applause.)