WASHINGTON – The White House says President Barack Obama is not giving up on legislation that would offer a path to legal status to young illegal immigrants.

Obama on Tuesday met with members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and reiterated his support for the DREAM Act, which died in the Senate last weekend and appears to have even less chance when a new, more Republican Congress convenes in January.

The legislation would have provided a route to legal status for illegal immigrants who were brought to the U.S. before age 16, have been here for five years, graduated high school or gained an equivalency degree, and who joined the military or attend college.

Obama also told lawmakers a broader reform of the immigration system should be a priority for the next Congress.