President Obama said on Friday that he is “committed to passing an immigration reform” which could give an opportunity for illegal immigrants to become citizens.

Obama said the government was “taking steps to strengthen border security” and the status of millions living in America needed to be clarified.

The president spoke to a group of Hispanics at the Esperanza National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast and Conference.

He said the millions living in the U.S. illegally should pay a fine and taxes, learn English and go to the back of the line of people trying to enter the United States from their home country.

The president said that this was the fair and practical way forward.

He said employers should not be allowed to exploit illegal immigrants to drive down wages.