President Barack Obama soured relations with immigrant rights groups with his immigration executive action delay, but Vice President Joe Biden reassured Latinos that comprehensive reform will come.

Speaking at a Hispanic Heritage Month reception at the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C., Biden said Obama is "absolutely committed" to advancing immigration reforms and "[Obama's] going to do an awful lot." According to Biden, Obama will move forward "with or without" Congress. The Associated Press noted Biden's audience included "frustrated" leaders of the Latino community.

"I know you're all waiting and you're frustrated," Biden said . "Watch when this election is over, watch what happens when all of a sudden our friends in the other team realize their prospects for future electoral success hinge upon acting rationally. They will either act rationally, or we will act for them, and if we have to act for them, they will not be around a whole lot longer to act in large numbers."

Obama originally planned on announcing an immigration executive action by either late August or early September following recommendations from the Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security. In early September, Obama announced he will delay his decision until November, likely after Election Day on Nov. 4. Biden's comments seemed to reaffirm that Obama's announcement will come after Election Day.

Biden added, "When this election [is] over in the lame duck session, [Congress] just may see the Lord. It is possible. But if they don't, they will see some lightning."

Obama has denied allegations his delay was politically motivated to benefit congressional Democrats facing election in November. He defended his decision, stating, "What I want to do is when I take executive action, I want to make sure it's sustainable ... What I'm saying is I'm going to act because it is the right thing for the country, but it's going to be more sustainable and more effective if the public understands what the facts are on immigration, what we've done on unaccompanied children and why it's necessary."

National Latino organizations were not pleased with the delay. National Council of La Raza President and CEO Janet Murguia stated the delayed executive action showed Obama submitted to "fears by Democratic political operatives" and crushed the hopes of people living in fear of deportation and family separation.

Labor Council for Latin American Advancement Executive Director Hector Sanchez said Obama reflected on the issue, and said no doubt the delay is "devastating" but sometimes "change takes time." Sanchez said the delay means immigrant rights supporters will need to be stronger, and the work of coming together will continue as long as the community understands that the "essence of democracy is to vote."

The U.S. Senate passed an immigration bill in June 2013, which had Obama's support. The "Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act" (S. 744) bill included bipartisan support from Sen. Marco Rubio, R-FL, Sen. John McCain, R-AZ, and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-SC.

The House of Representatives has yet to debate the Senate bill. House Speaker John Boehner, however, speaking to the American Enterprise Institute, said immigration reform would help the U.S. economy, adding "The sooner we do it, the better off the country would be." Boehner previously said the House would debate immigration in 2015.

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