As the presidential election nears, inevitable comparisons arise between the top candidates. While presumptive nominees Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain have been discussing their stands on a variety of topics, immigration issues are among those taking center stage.
Both candidates agree that illegal immigration is a problem that must be solved. As members of the U.S. Senate, they have a similar voting record on current legislation dealing with immigration issues. They both co-sponsored the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act of 2007 which allows states to give illegal immigrants in-state tuition rates for higher education and can create legal resident status for some illegal immigrant students. They also both voted yes on the “Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006” which would have created a guest worker program for immigrants.
Another plan they both support is building a fence along the U.S./Mexico border. Although the “Secure Fence Act” was passed in 2006 these fences are still incomplete in some states. McCain stated on his official website that completing the fence is his top priority. He plans to hold state governors responsible for certifying the security of their borders. Obama also lists securing the borders as a top priority and suggests adding personnel and more advanced technology to ports of entry.
In the past McCain has been accused of promoting amnesty for illegal immigrants but now says that that is “completely untrue.” According to ABC News, McCain co-sponsored a bill with Sen. Edward Kennedy for illegal immigrants to “earn” citizenship while staying in the country as opposed to Obama’s proposal that they “go to the back of the line” behind those who have been waiting outside the country for the right to enter legally. McCain now claims that even he would no longer support his own 2006 proposal. He states that he “gets it” now and that he realizes that the immigration system needs more improvement than he previously realized.
Both candidates also support a path to legalization for illegal immigrants that consists of learning English and paying fines to become a citizen, which is similar to the rules that legal aliens must follow to obtain citizenship.
One point the candidates differ on is dealing with illegal immigrants’ work status. McCain supports a guest worker program that allows aliens a tamper-proof visa for jobs that “cannot be filled by an American citizen.” While Obama has also voiced support for this program, he takes a harder line, proposing that employers who hire illegal immigrants be subject to tougher penalties. According to Obama’s official website, he supports a proposal to create a stronger system for employers to verify whether an immigrant is legally eligible to work in the U.S.
Obama previously announced that he also supports giving illegal immigrants drivers’ licenses. This is an issue that has huge support in the Hispanic community but has been met with continued skepticism from American citizens. McCain has made little mention of this hot-button topic, apparently preferring to avoid it altogether.
Obama addresses another issue that McCain has made little mention of and that is the burden of keeping immigrant families together. Because any child born within U.S. borders is granted automatic citizenship, families consisting of illegal immigrant parents and children who are legal citizens run a much greater risk. Obama has proposed legislation with more emphasis on protecting these family units. Obama also suggests promoting economic development in Mexico to decrease immigration.
Both candidates will continue to discuss this issue and further refine their stances on illegal immigration throughout the rest of the campaign season.
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