Washington, Jul 17 (IANS/EFE): US first lady Michelle Obama has argued on television that a second term for President Barack Obama is vital for moving forward with comprehensive immigration reform.

"There is nothing more critical than keeping families together and that is why Barack has been fighting so hard for comprehensive immigration reform," she said in an interview with Univision news anchor Maria Elena Salinas.

The first lady said immigration reform will "be one of my husband's top priorities and it's essential".

The interview was taped last week in Miami, where the first lady participated in a conversation with six Hispanic mothers that was rebroadcast via the Internet and in which she defended the health care reform package pushed by President Obama in 2010.

Despite the fact that in 2008 he promised to achieve immigration reform and that still has not occurred, Obama continues to enjoy the support of more than 60 percent of Hispanics for his reelection in November, according to the latest surveys.

A month ago, Obama announced the temporary suspension of the deportation of hundreds of thousands of undocumented young immigrants who were brought to this country when they were children.

According to the Obama administration, the measure will benefit some 800,000 immigrants.