Immigration Reform 2013 News: White House Says Passing Reform Bill Still a Priority

During Monday's press briefing, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney made it clear the Obama Administration has not abandoned passing a 2013 immigration reform bill.

"Our absolute focus on getting immigration reform passed by both houses and signed into law has not changed at all," Carney said in response to a report that found the issue has been a low priority for the White House, reports the International Business Times.

Time is of the essence for immigration reform advocates urging Congress to pass a bill before the end of the year. Even before the looming U.S. involvement in the Syria conflict dominated the attention of lawmakers, Congress was already faced with a short session and overloaded with time-sensitive policy debates

In June, the Senate passed its comprehensive immigration reform, which detailed a 13-year path to citizenship for immigrants living in the U.S. illegally, and boosted spending for border security and more fencing along the Mexico border.

That bill is currently in limbo as House Speaker John Boehner announced that he would not take up the Senate reform bill without a "majority of the majority" support.

To push the bill forward, Democrats are packaging it as a way to boost the economy. According to the Congressional Budget Office, comprehensive reform would cut the deficit by billions. Additionally, with the inclusion of the border surge portion of the bill, illegal entry is expected to decrease by about 50 percent.

"There are myriad of reasons to support comprehensive immigration reform," Carney said. "If economic growth is what you care about, then support immigration reform."

To make sure that elected officials don't drop immigration reform from their radar, a group of reform advocates from around the country announced Thursday they are planning a national mobilization for early October to push for immigration legislation.

The National Day for Dignity and Respect, which is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 5, will include marches and rallies that are already being planned in over 60 cities. Organizers said the events will culminate in a rally on Oct. 8 in Washington, D.C.