White House puts off immigration meeting again

The White House has postponed, for the second time this month, a meeting with members of Congress on the administration’s plan to take up the illegal immigration issue.

The White House had planned the meeting for June 8 originally and rescheduled it for June 17. It is being rescheduled for next week, according to a White House official.

"The meeting will happen soon and a new date is being set," the official said.

The meeting is set to include a small number of senators and members of Congress and is acting as a kickoff for the administration’s efforts on immigration.

The White House has previously conceded that it is unlikely to make much headway on the issue until later this year, but the delayed meetings suggest getting started will be even more difficult than first anticipated.

Even Obama allies are starting to worry about the delay.

“If it’s postponed, we’re confident it will be rescheduled, but the president can’t keep leaving us at the altar and not going through with the meeting,” one source said. “It’s starting to feel like the guy who has your phone number and will never call you.”

Ana Navarro, a Republican activist in Florida, said the uncertainty is hurting Obama’s credibility.

“It is no surprise that so many Republicans on the Hill don't think Obama is serious about leading on immigration and looking for cover,” Navarro said. “If the Latino groups want to see this get done, they need to hold his feet to the fire.”

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