By Tracie Potts
NBC News
LAS VEGAS – Today in Las Vegas, President Obama presented his plan to overhaul the nation's laws: beef up the border, and keep 11 million illegal immigrants in this country.
This time both sides are motivated. Politically, immigration reform works for both sides. Democrats get to keep a promise. Republicans may get a jump on the next election.
If Congress drags its feet on immigration, the White House has a plan ready.
President Obama presented the plan today at Del Sol High School.
"We're gonna get push back, but I think enough Americans are saying enough already, let's get this fixed," said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.
Its plan puts illegal immigrants at the back of the line for citizenship, after they've passed background checks, paid fines and taxes, and learned English.
The key for conservatives to go along will be whether more border security comes first.
"No one should expect members of the Senate are just going to rubber-stamp what a group has met and decided," said Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala.
"We will never put these people on path to citizenship until we have secured our borders," said Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.
Advocates for reform say they'll push the plan.
"We are also going to be marching, rallying and taking the streets," said Hector Figueroa, SEIU.
"We have to support our Haitian brothers and sisters, our Jamaican brothers and sisters. It's not just the Latino community," said Florida resident Natalie Toledo.
Republicans make no bones about it - it's political as 70 percent voted for Obama in November.
"The Republican party is losing the support of our Hispanic citizens," said Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.
