At the National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast in Washington, President Obama called immigration reform a “moral imperative” and urged Hispanic Christians to take action alongside the government to make comprehensive immigration reform a reality. He emphasized the ethical dimensions of the issue, highlighting the impact on families and young people who are denied opportunities due to their parents’ immigration status. Obama’s remarks followed a detailed speech in El Paso, Texas, where he outlined a 29-page plan for a modernized immigration system and stressed the importance of faith leaders in mobilizing support.

Rev. Luis Cortes Jr., founder of Esperanza and host of the breakfast, expressed hope that Obama could achieve meaningful reform and encouraged Hispanic churches to advocate for legislation. Other leaders, including Sen. Charles Schumer and Pastor Adan Guerrero, also called on the faith community to leverage their influence to push for bipartisan support. The event highlighted efforts by both the Obama administration and faith organizations like Esperanza to build a diverse coalition in favor of immigration reform, emphasizing the role of faith leaders from various backgrounds in driving social change