politics

GUADALAJARA, MEXICO - Locked in a health care debate that is claiming much of his energy, President Obama acknowledged Monday that a push to overhaul the U.S. immigration system would have to wait until 2010.

Obama suggested it would be too ambitious to aim for a bill addressing such concerns as illegal immigration before the end of the year, at a time when he will be confronting "a pretty big stack of bills."

Speaking at the end of a two-day summit meeting of North American leaders, Obama said his administration was meeting with members of Congress to try to come up with an immigration plan that would have bipartisan support. "When we come back next year ... we should be in a position to start acting."

As a candidate, Obama said that he would make immigration "a top priority in my first year as president." But the economic crisis and realities of governing have forced him to reexamine how best to roll out his agenda.

Opponents of the existing immigration structure are dismayed by the latest timetable.

Frank Sharry, executive director of America's Voice, an advocacy group, said: "I think we'd be smarter to move on it this year. There's a real hunger on the part of the American public to make sure immigrants are legal, are working toward citizenship, are paying their taxes and not being used by bad-actor employers to undercut honest employers."

Obama said he is confident that he ultimately will prevail in providing a road to citizenship for undocumented immigrants living in the United States. But previewing the expected struggle to get such a bill passed, he said illegal-immigration foes would put up stout resistance.

"Now, am I going to be able to snap my fingers and get this done?" said Obama, speaking on a stage alongside Mexican President Felipe Calderon and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. "No."

"This is going to be difficult; it's going to require bipartisan cooperation. There are going to be demagogues out there who try to suggest that any form of pathway for legalization for those who are already in the United States is unacceptable."

He added: "But ultimately, I think the American people want fairness."

The annual three-way meeting lasted barely more than four hours, spanning dinner Sunday night and talks Monday. There were repeated shows of friendship as the leaders gathered at the Institutos Cabanas, a 19th century home for poor children that's now an art museum.

On other issues, Obama and his counterparts were united on recession-fighting and Honduras' ousted leader.

But questions about U.S. domestic policy stole the biggest share of the hour the three leaders appeared together before reporters.

A day before Obama faces a potentially boisterous town hall in New Hampshire, he praised the spirited debate over his health care plans and predicted "sensible and reasoned arguments" would ultimately prevail in Congress.

Concerns over his health care reform proposal are heating up town hall meetings and radio shows.

Democrats have accused Republicans of orchestrating the events. In an article Monday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer wrote: "Drowning out opposing views is simply un-American."

Obama stayed away from such provocative language. "We are having a vigorous debate in the United States, and I think that's a healthy thing."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.