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WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama reserved his harshest criticism on immigration Thursday not for GOP presidential frontrunnerDonald Trump, but for the other Republican candidates who he said know what's right, but are bending to politics.

Obama didn't use names during his speech to a 2,000-person crowd at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute gala. But some of hisreferences were obvious, particularly to Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who helped draft a comprehensive immigration reform bill in 2013 and has since tied himself in knotsover whether he still supports it.

"Some of the very same Republican politicians who championed reform, some of whom sponsored these efforts, suddenly they want nothing to do with it," Obama said, with a dramatic pause. "Hmm."

"In these circumstances, I always say, 'Don't boo, vote,'" he continued. "They can't hear the boos, but they can hear your vote."

The Latino vote helped Obama win in 2012, and may do the same for the 2016 Democratic nominee. Latinos lean Democratic, and there are even more eligible voters in the next election than in the last, meaning the GOP candidate may need to attract more than47 percent of them in order to win the presidency.

On immigration, though, most Republican candidates don't seem to be heedingthe lessons of 2012, when Mitt Romney was widely condemned for calling for undocumented immigrants to self-deport.

Instead, Republicans have been eager to say they're tough on immigration, whether by calling for a border wall or decrying amnesty. Like Rubio, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush has said he does not support a path to citizenship, and stirredcontroversy for using the term "anchor babies."

"That's not leadership, turning against what's right the moment the politics of your base gets tough," Obama said. "Leadership is not fanning the flames of intolerance and then acting all surprised when the fire breaks out. Saying clearly inflammatory things and then saying, 'Well, that's not what I meant,' until you do it again, and again, and again."

Obama said the American people need to decide whether they will stand up to bigotry -- a common theme of the evening. Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Chairwoman Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.) told members of the crowd earlier that they must show they will organize against candidates who disrespect Latinos.

"We can't just sit on the sidelines hoping that things will get better," Sanchez said.

For most of the conference, the top target was Trump, one of the only 2016 candidates not invited to speak because of his statements on Latinos, which include calling for mass deportation, a border wall and an end to birthright citizenship for babies born in the U.S. He also has claimed Mexico is sending rapists and other criminals into the U.S.

"We need people who will stand up to this ugly rhetoric and extreme thinking, who will say with our words and our actions, basta, enough," Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton said.

A 22-year-old undocumented immigrant activist,Juan Carlos Ramos with the advocacy group United We Dream Action,stood during Clinton's remarks to protest her for taking contributions from lobbyists for private prison companies, which operate many immigrant detention centers. It was not clear whether Clinton heard the man, and she continued speaking.

Obama was interrupted by an immigration activist at last year's CHCI gala, which took place about a month after he put off plans for executive action on immigration until after the 2014 election.

This year, things were decidedly friendlier for the president. He promised to continue fighting for the sweeping deportation relief he announced last November, which has been blocked by courts.

"Although it is taking us longer than we hoped, I know we are on the right side of the law," Obama said. "We are going to keep fighting to prove it."

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Obama: Backing Away From Immigration Reform Is 'Not ...

People rally in support of immigration reform October 8, 2013 on the National Mall in Washington D.C.

CHRIS KLEPONIS/AFP/Getty Images

Of the many issues left unfinished by Congress when they left town for the holiday break, an overhaul of the nations immigration laws is one that is certainly not going away.

2013 saw the first major attempt at a comprehensive immigration reform bill since 2006-2007, when it was a top priority for President George W. Bush. Anger from the right and the left helped kill several pieces of legislation, shelving the issue for several years.

After the 2012 presidential election, when Republican nominee Mitt Romney recorded a dismal 27 percent to President Obamas 71 percent among Hispanic voters, there was widespread speculation bolstered by an endorsement for comprehensive immigration reform from the Republican National Committee that 2013 was the year with the best hope at tackling a contentious issue.

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The bill the Senate passed today attempts to tackle nearly every problem with the nation's outdated immigration system. The bill had eight author...

The bill, for all its bipartisan bonhomie, was dead on arrival in the House of Representatives, where many in the Republican majority oppose either the idea of passing a massive, comprehensive piece of legislation in the style of Obamacare or rewarding immigrants who had crossed the border illegally or overstayed visas with anything that might be perceived by their base as amnesty.

A bipartisan group in the House working on a comprehensive bill collapsed in the fall. Democrats introduced a version of the Senate bill that has a few Republican cosponsors, but is still the hefty kind of legislation House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, has rejected. The Republican chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Bob Goodlatte of Virginia, helped usher a series of smaller bills through his committee, none of which dealt with the illegal population and none of which had Democratic support. Despite several public exhortations by Mr. Obama this fall, no immigration bills were put to a vote on the floor of the House. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said before lawmakers left town that Boehner told her immigration would have to wait until next year.

All the while, advocates who want to see Congress pass legislation that includes a path to citizenship for unauthorized immigrants havegotten more aggressivein their efforts to convince the House Republican leadership to put a bill to a vote, stopping by their homes, offices and evenbreakfast spots, uninvited, to visit, pray, and demand a vote.

But the pressure isnt limited to House Republicans, who advocates view as the main obstacle to legislation passing Congress. As the year comes to a close with no resolution in sight, they have also stepped up criticism of Mr. Obama, whose administration has deported record numbers of immigrants in recent years. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced that in 2013, they deported 368,644 people, the majority of whom were apprehended while or shortly after attempting to illegally enter the United States. Thats a 10-percent drop from 2011, when 410,000 were deported.

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A member of the audience interrupted President Obama during his remarks on immigration reform Monday. Instead of having the heckler removed, the ...

I respect the passion of these young people because they feel deeply about the concerns for their families, he told the protestor at the speech. If in fact I could solve all these problems without passing laws in Congress, then I would do so. But were also a nation of laws -- thats part of our tradition -- and so the easy way out is to try to yell and pretend like I can do something by violating our laws.

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Can immigration reform pass in 2014? - CBS News

Members of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles hold signs reading, "DAPA now!" referring to the Deferred Action for Parental Accountability program, and chant near an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Los Angeles, California, April 16, 2015. Immigration advocates have held numerous protests and vigils as the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals deliberates on President Barack Obama's immigration relief programs. With the case stalling and an appeal to the Supreme Court expected no matter which way it is decided, the lawsuit could drag out for months to come, possibly past the end of Obamas presidency. REUTERS/David McNew

When a Texas judge froze Barack Obamas executive actions on immigration in February, pro-immigrant groups tried to reassure immigrants in the country illegally that they would ultimately win protection from deportation. Obamas policy changes could have given as many as 5 million under DACA and DAPA, programs that promised indefinite legal status and work permits to certain immigrant children and their parents. That promise has turned into uncertainty as millions of immigrants await the outcome of a protracted legal battle.

It has been over seven months since Texas District Judge Hanen issued an injunction barring the White House programs from proceeding. Despite a ruling against it, the Obama administration has been able to avoid or at least reduce deportations. But it cant do anything about the work permits.

It has been three months since the U.S. 5th Circuit Court took the case on appeal. They upheld Hanens injunction. No matter which way that conservative court decides, the case is likely to be decided by the Supreme Court.

Obama, a former constitutional law professor, is confident that his immigration actions will be upheld. Conservatives disagree. But with the status quo in place, it is unclear if the final showdown will take place while he is in office.

Immigration advocates have tried to keep their constituents upbeat, hoping that the 5th Circuit Court would issue a ruling soon. Immigration advocacy group United We Dream has kept a message on their website for months saying that the case would be decided today.

The same judges are hearing the case and can expect a decision no later than September 2015, the group stated in an informational blog post as late as September 30th, adding this lawsuit is not permanent."

The 5th Circuit is not expected to issue its ruling today. If the court drags its feet for long enough, the legality of DACA and DAPA could be decided too late for it to make any difference for immigrants.

The lawsuit may have "no legal merit," as UWD argues, but the injunction still has th force of law. Conservative legal scholars, meanwhile, thinkthat some of the objections might stick.

Whatever the eventual legal verdict,Barack Obama leaves the White House in January of 2017.

Democrats running for president in 2016 have all pledged to uphold his executive actions or even expand them. A victory for Obama at the Supreme Court would allow them to carry the immigration programs forward.

A loss for Obama would restrict executive actions on immigration in the future. Meanwhile, most Republican candidates have pledged to undo DAPA and DACA.

In other words, Republicans have two ways to win: through the courts OR by winning the election. But Democrats only have one way to win: they must prevail in the lawsuit AND win in 2016.

While immigration advocacy groups want immigrants to prepare for a win, immigrants covered by the policies cant do much but wait.

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Immigration Reform 2015: Lawsuit Could Outlast Obama ...

A leading potential successor to House Speaker John Boehner comes from a district with a significant Latino constituency, raising hope among Latino activists that he may do more than the Ohio Republican did to push for comprehensive immigration reform.

Rep. Kevin McCarthy, a California Republican, represents a region that is 35 percent Latino and, as his website notes, is one of the nations largest agricultural districts.

McCarthy, who is 50 and the House majority leader since last year, has said that he supports giving undocumented immigrants a path to legal status, although not full-blown citizenship.

McCarthy said that his support for an opportunity to allow some undocumented immigrants to legalize their status was not tantamount to being in favor of amnesty, or rewarding people who break the law.

If you want to become a citizen, you'll have to go through the path, he said. There won't be amnesty inside it.

He said to reporters last year that he backed giving those who qualify legal status that will allow you to work and pay your taxes.

He added that the path to legal status was a decision that every Republican will have to make.

On McCarthy's official website, however, in the section on his views on immigration, he makes no mention of a path to legal status, and speaks only about the need for tough enforcement.

"As a nation founded by immigrants, we should continue to embrace the individuals who wait in line and come to the United States legally to work hard and contribute to our society," McCarthy says on the website. "However, we should not provide any amnesty that would benefit those who defy our laws and enter the United States illegally...we must secure our border by using both physical as well as electronic barriers."

Many activists pushing for a path to legal status for the undocumented said they are glad to see Boehner step aside, faulting him for refusing to use his powerful position to advance a comprehensive immigration reform bill.

In 2013, the Senate passed a bipartisan bill to overhaul immigration. The bill called for tightening security at the border and providing ways for undocumented immigrants who meet a strict set of criteria to legalize their status, among other things. But the effort stalled in the House, where many conservatives vowed never to pass a measure that, in their words, rewarded those who had broken immigration laws.

Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA), an immigrant rights organization, said he had hoped Boehner would rein in his party but was unable to do so.

With Mr. Boehner out of the picture 2016 provides an opportunity to bring back civility to the GOP and an extremely divided Congress," she said in a written statement. As to speculation that California's conservative Kevin McCarthy might be considered as the next Speaker, we would call on him to represent the richness of our state's diversity."

In a statement that followed Boehners unexpected announcement Friday that he was resigning the speaker post by the end of October, McCarthy said: Now is the time for our conference to focus on healing and unifying to face the challenges ahead and always do what is best for the American people.

Boehner all but endorsedMcCarthyon Friday.

"I'll tell Kevin, if he's the next speaker, that his number-one responsibility is to protect the institution. Nobody else around here has an obligation like that," Boehner told reporters. "Secondly, I'd tell him the same thing I've just told you. You just do the right thing every day for the right reasons, the right things will happen."

Chris Pawelski, an upstate New York onion farmer who is a vocal advocate for immigration reform, particularly a more efficient guest worker program, expressed mixed feelings about the Boehners decision.

Im saddened by Speaker Boehners resignation as Speaker and from the House, Pawelski said in a statement to Fox News Latino. I found him to be the voice of moderation and reason, dealing with a very difficult caucus and governing situation.

Pawelski is somewhat encouraged by McCarthys support for immigration reform, but feels it may not be enough to bring about positive changes.

Though McCarthys district has a large number of Latinos and is heavily agricultural I find it hard to believe that the forces that drove Boehner out will allow any sort of immigration reform legislation to go to the House floor.

McCarthy has many views that fall in line with GOP conservatives he opposes President Obama's Affordable Care Act, gun control, and climate change measures.

Some conservatives, however, are leery of McCarthy, accusing him of being more of an "establishment Republican" than not. On Friday, conservative talk radio host and best-selling author Mark Levin warned Republicans in Washington not to replace Boehner with McCarthy, who, he concluded, is not a "principled conservative."

Some Republicans say they prefer that immigration be dealt with in a piecemeal fashion, instead of one sweeping measure.

Some groups expressed hope that as one of his last acts as speaker, Boehner would put comprehensive immigration reform on the House radar.

Speaker Boehner would do well to use his last month in office to heed the words of his church, the business community, and the great majority of Americans, Rep. Bill Foster, an Illinois Democrat said, to take bold and courageous action by bringing comprehensive immigration reform up for a vote.

He has the opportunity to transform his legacy from one of constant partisan gamesmanship and gridlock, to one of cooperation and progress that benefits all Americans. If he chooses this path, he will find no shortage of bipartisan support and cooperation from Congressional Democrats.

Includes reporting by The Associated Press.

Elizabeth Llorente can be reached at elizabeth.llorente@foxnewslatino.com. Follow her on https://twitter.com/Liz_Llorente

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Immigration activists hope Boehner's possible successor ...

COLUMBIA Jose Antonio Vargas is calling for major immigration change on a national level, and he's including MU. It's the incremental progressions that really count, he said during his speech Thursday night in Jesse Hall.

The nationally recognized filmmaker and immigration activist has put himself at the forefront of the immigration-reform movement by launching campaigns, speaking to crowds and attending political events. On Thursday, he made his way to Jesse Hall to speak about his journey and what it means to fight his battle.

Vargas came to America when he was 12 years old. He grew up here, went toschool here, attended college here and has worked as a journalist here with nationally recognized publications.

But his life in America was an undocumented one, and that took a toll on him, he said Thursday. So about five years ago, he said he decided to "liberate himself from his own fears."

"Against the advice of about 27 lawyers, I wrote in journalistic detail everything I had to do to stay here in this country as an undocumented immigrant," he said. "And then I waited."

"I heard from Stephen Colbert and Bill O'Reilly but nothing from the government."

Vargas said he knows his public declaration was a taunt: "Come and get me." But so far, no one has.

"I spent my entire 20s and teenage years being so scared of this government," he said. "Now I find that maybe they're even more scared of me than I am of them."

That fear Vargas talked about is what he said drove his decision to stop living under the burden of his own identity and to create an unavoidable obstacle in the way of America's immigration avoidance.

Vargas said he's forcing difficult conversations about immigration and revealing that undocumented Americans are within the country and a part of it.

"More than ever, we need you to be allies," Vargas told the crowd.

"If we don't acknowledge that respect is not something that is happening here on our campus on a daily basis, we cannot get past that," Head said. "There are so many students, like myself, who are uncomfortable on this campus every single day."

"Those of us with privilege have to speak up," Head said.

In bridging the conversations about immigration and racism, both Head and Vargas said people must engage outsiders in the conversation or nothing will ever change Americans must preach beyond the choir.

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Immigration reform activist Vargas calls for allies at MU ...