Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon's Latino leaders are hoping to lay groundwork this week for comprehensive immigration reform. April Baer reports.

One week from Monday, President Obama will meet with Congressional leaders to talk about what a reform bill should include.

At the same time, here in the Northwest, organizers will be trying to build support for changes in the law.

Francisco Lopez is the executive director of CAUSA, Oregon's largest immigrant rights coalition. He says as the immigration debate develops, the state's Latinos are finding their political feet.

Francisco Lopez "We are moving from a survival stage toward full integration. We are not fully there yet, but we are half of the way."

Reform-supporters may face an uphill battle. To many Oregonians, immigration reform means tighter restrictions on who's allowed to stay in the country, not a more welcoming attitude.

Most political leaders have been reticent to take up the cause.