U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar touted St. Cloud-based Microbiologics Monday as a leader in Minnesota’s export economy.

Meanwhile, as the national debate on immigration heats up, Klobuchar, DFL-Minn., said President Barack Obama should give a bipartisan Senate group more time to craft an immigration overhaul plan before forging ahead with a White House proposal.

The comments came during Klobuchar’s visit to the newly expanded Microbiologics facility on Cooper Avenue North in St. Cloud. She presented employees with a U.S. Commercial Services certificate recognizing the company’s success tapping overseas markets in 140 countries.

Microbiologics makes materials used for safety testing of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food and other items. Klobuchar cited the company as a shining example of Minnesota’s export sector, which she said is more robust here than in other states and has helped keep Minnesota’s economy stronger than the national average.

“It’s one of the major reasons that we’ve kept our heads above water during the downturn — that we are willing to look beyond our borders,” Klobuchar said. “When you look at our success, it’s about companies like this.”

Speaking to the Times after the event, Klobuchar addressed the leaking of part of a White House immigration proposal last weekend. The proposal would allow illegal immigrants to become legal permanent U.S. residents after eight years, according to a USA Today report.

Klobuchar declined to take a position on the White House proposal but said she has long supported a path to citizenship for the nation’s 11 million illegal immigrants. She said such a path should be implemented in tandem with improved border security and other measures.

Klobuchar said she doesn’t blame the White House for “being outfront” on the immigration issue, on which Obama has long urged action.

But Klobuchar added Obama should give more time to the bipartisan group of senators to finalize their immigration plan. The group, which includes Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., released the broad strokes of the plan last month, which includes creating a path to citizenship for those here illegally but only after tightening border security.

“I think the White House should give the senators time to work, because this just has to be bipartisan in the end,” Klobuchar said. “If it takes way too long, fine. But we’re not at that point yet at all. We’re still working on the proposal.”

Klobuchar recently weighed in on the immigration debate by sponsoring a bill to boost the number of U.S. visas given to skilled workers. She invited St. Cloud State University President Earl Potter to be her guest at this year’s State of the Union Address in part to highlight hers and Potter’s support for the bill.