Democrat Barack Obama yesterday promised Hispanic Americans, a key voting bloc, to press for immigration reform and improved access to health care in his first year if elected to the White House.
"The system isn't working when 12 million people live in hiding, and hundreds of thousands cross our borders illegally each year," Obama told the 40th annual National Council of La Raza convention, an influential Latino group.
"I fought with you in the Senate for comprehensive immigration reform, and I will make it a top priority in my first year as president," he said.
Obama laid out his stance on health care, status of illegal migrants and small businesses, and acknowledged that the Hispanic population in the United States, numbering some 44 million in all, will be key to his bid to defeat Republican John McCain.
In his 30-minute speech, Obama vowed to "take on the drug and insurance companies, cut costs, guarantee health insurance for anyone who needs it and make it affordable for anyone who wants it." His rival, McCain, is set to address the convention on today.
A Gallup survey earlier this month showed Obama enjoys 59 percent support among Hispanic registered voters nationwide.