A touchy national policy change is gaining real momentum as the president and senators from both political parties talk about rewriting immigration laws. President Obama last week urged Congress to act swiftly to put about 11 million illegal U.S. residents on a path to citizenship. He praises new cooperation among Democrats and Republicans, and says illegal immigrants should have a chance to qualify by passing a background check, paying taxes and a penalty, learning English and then going to the back of the citizenship application line. "If you're able to meet some basic criteria," Obama said in Las Vegas, "then we'll consider offering you the chance to come out of the shadows."

A day earlier, eight senators – four from each side – introduced a blueprint for reform, which the administration says is consistent with the president’s principles. Many Republicans have opposed relaxing immigration policies in recent years, saying that any "amnesty" to help illegal immigrants would reward bad behavior and prompt a surge of new arrivals. Prospects for reform still could be tough in the Republican-led House of Representatives. "For the first time in many years, Republicans and Democrats seem ready to tackle this problem together," the president says. "If Congress is unable to act in a timely fashion, I will send up a bill based on my proposal and insist that they vote on it right away."

Immigration is a key issue for Hispanic Americans, the largest and fastest-growing U.S. ethnic group. Obama and other Democratic candidates won an overwhelming percentage of Hispanic votes last November. In Nevada, the president introduced a local junior college student who benefits from his 2012 executive order giving a break to young people brought to the United States illegally as children. "This is not just a debate about policy," Obama said. "It's about people. It's about men and women and young people who want nothing more than their chance to earn their way into the American system. Throughout our history, that has only made our nation stronger."

President says: "The time has come for common sense, comprehensive immigration reform. The time is now."

Republican says: "Look at the last election. We are losing dramatically the Hispanic vote, which we think should be ours for a variety of reasons, and we've got to understand that." – Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

Reform critic says: "Those who believe that so-called immigration reform will lead to electoral victories are simply dead wrong." – Mark Levin, radio host