Obama willing to carve immigration bill into pieces

Obama urges House Republicans to back new immigration legislation to resolve the issue of 11 million illegal immigrants, including nearly 300,000 Indians

In Thanksgiving spirit, President Barack Obama has indicated a willingness to split the new immigration legislation into pieces, if that will get it passed, as he rejected a plea by a heckler to stop deportations by executive fiat.

"That's okay," Obama said in a speech in San Francisco Monday as he urged House Republicans to back new immigration legislation to resolve the issue of 11 million illegal immigrants, including nearly 300,000 Indians.

"It's Thanksgiving. We can carve that bird into multiple pieces - a drumstick here, breast meat there," he said.

But Obama also said a final package must include certain elements, including a proposed pathway to citizenship that has drawn opposition from Republicans.

"As long as all the pieces get done, soon, and we actually deliver on the core values we have been talking about for so long, I think everybody is fine with it," he said.

As Obama spoke, a young protester called for the president to halt the deportations of undocumented workers arguing "You have a power to stop deportations for all."

"Actually, I don't, and that's why we're here," Obama responded as the heckler and several others continued shouting, breaking out into a chant of "stop deportations!"

It's "easy" to shout about problems, said the President, but he is seeking a harder path designed "to use our democratic processes to achieve the same goal that you want to achieve. But it won't be as easy as just shouting."

As security guards moved to pull the protesters out of the room, Obama said those challenging him could stay.

"I respect the passion of these young people because they feel deeply about the concerns of their families," he said.

Earlier this year, the Democratic-led Senate passed an immigration bill about which India has some concerns as it imposes new restrictions and higher visa fees on firms that rely heavily on highly skilled foreign workers. But the Republican-run House has not taken action on the issue.

Republican House Speaker John Boehner has said his party wants to take a "step-by-step" approach to immigration challenges.

"The American people are sceptical of big, comprehensive bills, and frankly, they should be," Boehner said last week. "The only way to make sure immigration reform works this time is to address these complicated issues one step at a time."