Local congressmen call for immigration reform

Seven congressmen from Illinois are joining immigrant rights activists in pushing President Barack Obama for immigration reform this year.

U.S. Reps. Luis Gutierrez, Mike Quigley and Danny Davis have signed a letter to Obama that says laws need to be passed that keep immigrant families together, protect workers and provide safe migration opportunities.

Four other Democratic Illinois congressmen also signed the letter, which is circulating in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Their announcement Monday calls for reform by activist groups who are getting impatient that a reform bill isn't before lawmakers.

The groups include the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.

Obama has vowed to deal with immigration reform but has offered few specifics.