President Barack Obama vowed today while speaking with Hispanic lawmakers that he’ll continue fighting for a comprehensive immigration bill, USA Today is reporting. “What’s holding us back is a stalemate,” he said, referring to the Republican obstructionism towards the bill, while addressing the National Association of Latino elected and Appointed Officials.

The president’s claim comes a week after he announced a policy blocking deportations of children of illegal immigrants. But he added that the new policy “falls short of where we need to be-a path to citizenship.”

Obama spoke with the lawmakers a day after Republican candidate Mitt Romney addressed the same group of lawmakers. The president reminded the group that Romney announced he would veto the “Dream Act,” which would provide young people who attend college or join the military with a path to citizenship.

While speaking with the Latino lawmakers, Romney didn’t say whether he would repeal Obama’s new deportation policy. But he did say he thinks Obama is politicizing the issue. He also pledged to work with both parties to form a consensus on immigration issues.

Currently, Obama has a large lead over Romney among Hispanic voters, the nation’s largest growing demographic. However, Obama said that he will work with the Republican party on the immigration issue.

Written by: Karen Benardello