In his speech, the president echoed the demands being made by thousands of undocumented and documented U.S. residents for comprehensive immigration reform. The president called for a bipartisan approach on immigration reform – an issue that has eluded solution by several of his predecessors and which has created deep divisions across the country. Some people, including elected political representatives want the approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants in America repatriated to their respective countries. Others want them to be granted an amnesty and allowed to stay and work in the U.S.

An analysis of Obama’s speech shows that he is trying to reach a middle ground on the needed reforms that immigration advocates want tabled in Congress this fall at the least. While the president spoke on the importance of immigrants to American history, he also acknowledged the fear and frustration many people, including illegal immigrants and citizens feel with a system that seems, "fundamentally broken."

Blanco said she was mostly encouraged by the president’s comments that the children of undocumented residents who are born in the U.S. should not have to fear immigration laws. Blanco said, “I do fear my parents being repatriated. For over 20 years they worked extremely hard, paid their taxes and obeyed American laws. After living here for so long, they want to obey the immigration laws. Congress should grant them an amnesty and legal status to live here.”

It is the president’s viewpoint that the majority of Americans are ready to accept reform legislation to once and for all resolve the nation’s undocumented immigration problem.

Up to April this year, the issue of immigration reform was relatively quiet. However, when the governor of Arizona signed a new immigration law, which threatens every immigrant in that state, the issue once again gained traction, fueling the immigration reform debate.

Over the past three months, the president and Congress have been under increasing pressure to enact new immigration laws. But, with the November general elections looming, some members of Congress are wary to touch the subject.

However, the president says he believes politics can be put aside to have “an immigration system that's accountable."

Adhering to his middle-of-the road approach, Obama said attempting to arrest and repatriate all illegal immigrants would not be only logistically impossible, but would “tear at the fabric of the nation.” However, he also said it would not be right to grant a general amnesty to all illegal immigrants. He said this would send the wrong message to all those who may be thinking of coming to America illegally, and would result in a surge in more illegal immigrants.

Perhaps hinting at what he wants in a new immigration legislation, the president said illegal immigrants should be accountable for breaking the laws of the country by coming here illegally. He said they should register with the appropriate authorities, pay taxes, pay a fine, and learn English adding that they should meet those requirements before being considered for citizenship.

Responding to the president’s speech undocumented Caribbean farm hand, Lebert, said, “For years I paid taxes, kept the law and have been speak English. I am willing to pay any fine. So Mr. Obama should hurry up and get the law reformed, because plenty of people are qualified like me.”