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In his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress, President Barack Obama announced he will once again push Congress to pass immigration reform. He said if the country is serious about economic growth then the country's immigration system needs to be fixed.

He also told the nation's businesses they don't have to wait for Congress to act when it comes to raising employee wages. He says he will lead by example and take steps to raise the minimum wage for new federal contract workers.

(SOUNDBITE) PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SAYING:

"I'm eager to work with all of you. But America does not stand still - and neither will I. So wherever and whenever I can take steps without legislation to expand opportunity for more American families, that's what I'm going to do."

"Independent economists say immigration reform will grow our economy and shrink our deficits by almost $1 trillion in the next two decades. And for good reaso