Speaking today in Santa Monica, California in front of a group of mostly tech entrepreneurs, President Obama proceeded to attack the Republican party's stance on immigration reform. The president went as far as to claim the GOP would be committing political "suicide" by sticking with their current plan on the matter, and could cost them a whole generation of immigrant voters. 

The president was careful not to lump all Republicans in the same camp, however, and he said some Republicans understand that the party must alter its course on immigration reform. Yet, according to Obama, party hardliners, like members of the Tea Party, are what is holding the GOP back from appealing to immigrants--to say nothing of improving their situation.

As he was speaking to an audience primarily made up of members of the tech industry, Obama said that the American economy, and also the tech community's future, would depend on a continued stream of young, highly-skilled immigrants who would stimulate the U.S. workforce and also prevent it from becoming an aging demographic.

The president said it was up to House Republicans to take action and end their refusal to pass any form of comprehensive immigration reform. Obama claims he will use his executive powers to alleviate the situation, but only after the November midterm elections. This refusal by the president to act until after the upcoming elections has drawn heavy criticism from conservatives and liberals alike.

Immigration activists have been especially vocal of late, voicing their disapproval of the president's plan to wait and act. Many immigrants and activists claim that if action isn't taken before the elections in November, thousands of undocumented immigrants could face deportation, and perhaps be separated from their families.

The Obama administration has also been in hot water with immigration activists because of its record number of deportations last year. The president has overseen increasing levels of deportations each year he has been in office. 

The president did say on Friday that he would do something to try and curb the rising levels of deportation.