Group says progress made for Hispanics now at risk

WASHINGTON — A coalition of major Hispanic groups says President Barack Obama and Congress have made progress addressing the needs of the nation's largest minority group. But the groups warn that deep spending cuts could put those two years of gains at risk.

The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda gives good marks to the Obama administration and Congress on early childhood education, programs for veterans and Hispanic businesses, and appointments of Latinos to the administration. Increased spending helped expand some key programs, such as Head Start.

But the coalition of Hispanic advocacy groups also says Obama and lawmakers over promised and under delivered on immigration reform and enforcement.

Political parties are sparring over whether the achievements the administration cites as benefiting Hispanics will outweigh Latinos' disappointment over immigration failures and high unemployment.