WASHINGTON DC-- Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano on Friday reaffirmed President Obama's commitment to pass comprehensive immigration reform.

"While it's important to emphasize the need for immigration reform from an enforcement perspective, the need for reform stretches far beyond those reasons," Napolitano said in a news release.

Napolitano spoke at the Center for American Progress, an advocacy organization in Washington, D.C., and said the administration, which has prioritized health care and the economy, is looking to overhaul immigration laws.

Immigration reform has been a hot topic for several years and includes the sensitive issue of legalizing approximately 12 million undocumented immigrants.  Since then, the issue has simmered and promises to become another controversial issue by President Obama.

U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes, D-Texas, said a comprehensive immigration reform was much needed along with continuous enforcement efforts.

"We need to enact reform that encourages people to come forward without fear, so that our law-enforcement agencies can focus their efforts on those individuals who pose a security risk," Reyes said.