Pushing Obama to Keep Promises

San Jose Mercury News: Reflecting growing liberal frustration with President Barack Obama's lack of progress on immigration reform, a Democratic congressman from his home state of Illinois is barnstorming through the Bay Area this week to demand the administration slow down its record-high number of deportations. "He's our champion," said U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., who lands in the Bay Area on Tuesday. "He's the one we want to support. But there's a community of people he made a promise and commitment to, and we want him to keep it." Obama continues to get high popularity ratings from Latinos and most immigrant groups, but Gutierrez is among a growing chorus of immigrant advocates who have expressed waning enthusiasm as the president launches his re-election campaign. Gutierrez will visit Redwood City, San Jose, Oakland, San Francisco and St. Helena on a three-day tour of the region, part of a national campaign called "Change Takes Courage" that is aimed at pressuring Obama to act urgently on immigration matters. With little chance of immigrant-friendly legislation getting through the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, Gutierrez said Obama should use his executive power to provide the relief he promised immigrant families during the 2008 presidential campaign.