Obama Calls for the Latino Community to Register for Obamacare

Three weeks before the registration deadline for the new insurance plans in the United States, on March 31, President Barack Obama called for the Latino community to register and avoid the fines contemplated if they do not register in time.

With fines starting at $95 dollars per person, it's expected that President Obama's Affordable Health Law provide access for up to 10.2 million Latinos living in the U.S.

During an event organized on Thursday by the Newseum center hosted by José Díaz-Balart from Telemundo and Enrique Acevedo from Univisión, President Obama asked the Latino community to register for the insurance plans promoted by the health reform, also known as Obamacare.

However, the hosts of the largest Spanish-speaking TV networks in the country steered the subjects towards one of the most important topics for undocumented immigrants living in the U.S.: immigration.

According to an article published by The Washington Post, the hosts spoke on the current negative perception the Latino community has towards the Obama administration due to the constant deportations.

"Among Latinos, your reputation has been marred by deportations. How can you ask the Latino community to trust you?" Acevedo asked, referring to the almost 2 million people who have been deported during Obama's administration.

On his part, Obama replied that he has worked in the immigration reform, in affordable housing programs and health care, among other matters. "I think the community understand that I've had their support and I'm fighting for them," the President said.

Obama said that he has the obligation to apply the law in immigration matters that is currently in effect.

"The Congress has said I have to apply these laws. I can't ignore them," he said, quoted by USA Today.

Likewise, the President said that the new insurance plans are there to provide medical coverage to many people who otherwise wouldn't be able to access this service. However, he said that there will be no extension to the deadline on March 31.