Obama Says US Immigration Overhaul Is Essential

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama said Friday he is committed to a comprehensive immigration overhaul that includes a way for illegal immigrants to become U.S. citizens.

Obama is hosting a small group of senators and House members at the White House next Thursday to discuss how to move the stalled issue forward, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said. People who disagree with the president's positions on immigration reform are among those being invited, he said.

"We know the votes aren't there right now," Gibbs said, adding that one way to try to change that is to talk about legislative approaches different from previous proposals. ...