The activists have drunk only water since November 12 in support of immigration legislation.
US President Barack Obama met on Friday with activists who are fasting in protest against the House of Representatives for its failure to take action on immigration legislation.
The activists, who have drunk only water since November 12 in support of immigration legislation, said that Obama told them their �œcommitment to change” will finally pressure lawmakers into taking action.
Obama also thanked the hunger strikers “for their sacrifice and dedication and told them that the country is behind them on immigration reform.”
However, he said that the House still has time to pass the relevant legislation which would change the US�™s immigration system.
Earlier this week during a speech in San Francisco, Obama also said that the passage of the immigration bill was “more a question of when than if,” as he stressed, “I want everybody to know I remain optimistic that we’re going to get this done.”
House Speaker John Boehner has been refusing to plan a vote on a comprehensive immigration measure passed by the Senate this summer.
Boehner has not made clear if lawmakers would contemplate passing any bills this year or if the issue will be dealt with next year, when midterm-election politics will make legislative action even less likely.
In October, House Democrats introduced an immigration bill, saying their bill could pass if it went for a vote because nearly all their caucus would support it and some GOP members might, too.
Boehner, however, said he will not bring a comprehensive immigration bill to the floor if a majority of GOP members oppose it.
The United States is home to nearly 12 million immigrants who lack legal status.
AT/ISH
Source: Press TV