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President Obama said that immigration would lower our deficits; it would grow our economy; it would bring in some of the most skilled people around the world. We want them to continue to come here." We agree. Congress needs to enact reform now.

Manuel Balce Ceneta, Associated Press

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There is a growing recognition nationally of the vital need for immigration reform. We are pleased by signs of progress on many different fronts, and we believe that the time is ripe for Congress to tackle this subject this year.

On Wednesday, Tea Party Express co-founder Sal Russo published a piece in Roll Call saying that conservatives should be at the forefront of (immigration) reform so that the 11 million people who are here illegally obey the law, pay taxes and come out of the shadows.

We have to get them right by the law in exchange for legal status, but not unbridled amnesty, Russo wrote. This should include penalties, background checks to root out criminals, and the requirement that they learn English, understand the Constitution and be committed to our basic freedoms.

Russo joined a press call with conservative and business leaders to highlight polling data of 400 Republican primary voters who identify with the tea party label. Among the findings:

71 percent want Congress to act on immigration reform this year

76 percent support both improved enforcement and a way for undocumented immigrants already in the country to stay

69 percent would elect a candidate who supports broad reform over one who supports border security and enforcement only.

Read more here:
In our opinion: Progress from conservatives, state officials, Obama administration bodes well for immigration reform