David Axelrod, President Barack Obama’s senior campaign adviser, criticized the Republicans for highlighting the lack of immigration reform as a failed promise from the president. The current spat with the GOP regarding the issue shows that the two camps are attempting to woo the Hispanic voters for the upcoming presidential election. Immigration Reform

Hispanic voters are unhappy that President Obama didn’t push for immigration reform in his first two years in office, when he had Democratic majorities in both chambers of Congress. But they are more upset with the Republicans, who have thwarted numerous attempts by the Democrats to advance immigration reforms.

As the presidential election nears, the Republicans try to implement a damage control strategy to lure Hispanic voters. They try to obscure their part regarding the lack of immigration reform and place all the blame on President Obama.

According to the Republicans, President Barack Obama has done little to put pressure on congress to pass immigration reform measures. All he did was a couple of speeches and supportive statements. But the GOP’s argument doesn’t have vital context.

In December 2010, the Senate voted in favor of the DREAM Act, which would have given a way for undocumented children to get legal status by attending college or joining the military. Only three Republicans joined the 52 democrats who were in favor of the measure. The rest of the GOP senators voted against it and it failed to get the 60 votes needed to advance.

Aside from the DREAM Act, the Democrats have introduced several immigration reform bills that included a pathway to citizenship for people who entered the United States illegally. They are supported by President Obama. For their part, the Republicans blocked the efforts. Some of its members said that giving amnesty of any kind is off the table. They also want the president to secure the border before they consider anything.