President Obama toured the u-s mexico border in el paso just a few hours ago and said the border is safer than it's ever been. but the president did call on washington to fix the nation's broken immigration system. brian mooar has the story. on the border between el paso, texas and mexico ... president obama renewed his calls for comprehensive immigration reform. "everybody recognizes the system is broken. the question is, will we finally summon the political will to do something about it?" it's a message aimed at the hispanic voters who helped him win the white house in 2008 ... and are back in play for 2012. "if the republicans step forward and unveil a plan to get this job done, they've got great opportunity to reach out to the hispanic community." supporters say the president's doing what he can. "the president can't single-handedly pen an immigration bill and sign it." critics say it's too little, too late. "he promised during the 2008 presidential campaign as candidate obama that he would make immigration reform a top priority during his first year and he did not." and it's a tougher climb now with more republicans in the house and senate. "until the border is secure any hope of additional legislation not kely to succeed in the congress the president toured a border he says is more secure than ever ... more money ... manpower ... and machinery ... but he acknowledges that won't satisfy everyone. sot: president obama "maybe they'll say we need a moat. maybe they'll want alligators in the moat." drawing the line on border security ... and setting the stage for another showdown in washington. brian mooar, nbc news, washington
