The legislative car crash that is the Arizona immigration bill has sparked a renewed effort at the federal level to work on immigration reform.

President Barack Obama was expected to address the issue at a Cinco de Mayo celebration at the White House Wednesday.

But White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs cautioned that "immigration is a very hard issue that Congress might not finish this year."

However, Gibbs says Obama wants voters to know that immigration reform is too important to stall on.

He said the president would push for progress on immigration reform, "even in a busy legislative time."

Immigration activists have been urged to reach out to Republicans on the issue.

Gibbs said bi-partisan support was essential. "This is not going to pass with only one party's votes."