Oct. 22: Where They Stand: Immigration

By Sylvia Gurinsky



This is the last in a series of blogs on where Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain stand concerning major issues.
Again, information comes from the candidates' Web sites and background on their votes from Project Vote Smart.



Barack Obama


-Borders: Obama supports more personnel and technology at the borders and places of entry.


-Undocumented immigrants: Obama plans to crack down on employers who hire those immigrants. He favors a plan to allow undocumented immigrants in good standing to pay a fine but also to "get in line" regarding the right to enter the country.
Last March, Obama voted No on an amendment that would allow the increase of certain spending levels for border security and immigration enforcement programs. He voted Yes on a similar amendment that was intended not to increase the budget deficit. In October, 2007, he did not vote on a measure that included a fence, more agents, more technology and the detention of immigrants. In July, 2007, he did not vote on a measure appropriating $3 billion for fences and customs requirements on the U.S. - Mexico border. In June, 2007, Obama voted No on an amendment prohibiting undocumented immigrants convicted of certain felonies from gaining legal status. The same month, he voted No on an amendment that would require information from renewable 3-year worker visas to be turned over to law enforcement under certain circumstances. He voted Yes to sunset the Y-1 guest worker program after five years.
In October, 2006, Obama voted Yes on a bill to authorize the construction of 700 miles of additional fencing between the U.S. and Mexico. In May, 2006, Obama voted Yes on the immigration reform bill.


-Other countries: Obama wants to work with Mexico to improve the economic situation in that country to lower the number of people coming to the United States illegally.


-Applications: Obama's Web site indicates that he and Rep. Luis Gutierrez of Illinois have introduced the Citizenship Promotion Act for fair application fees, and Obama introduced legislation to improve the accuracy and speed of FBI background checks.


-Misc.: In June, 2007, Obama voted No on an amendment to declare English the official language of the business of the federal government.



For more information: http://www.barackobama.com/issues/immigration/



John McCain


-Borders: McCain wants to improve training for border workers, better funding for U.S. Attorney's offices in border states, better technology, unmanned aircraft in border regions and continue the US-VISIT program.


-Undocumented immigrants: McCain wants to introduce a new Electronic Employment Verification System that would check worker identities, protect their privacy and weed out employers looking to take advantage of the system.
From McCain's Web site: "All undocumented workers will be required to enroll in a program to resolve their status." The program will include background checks. Immigrants will have to pass a citizenship course, pay back fines and taxes and learn English. They must either leave the country or follow the proper path to citizenship.
The program will attempt to unify families and quickly clear up the issue of children.
Last March, McCain did not vote on an amendment that would allow the increase of certain spending levels for border security and immigration enforcement programs. He did not vote on a similar amendment that was intended not to increase the budget deficit. In October, 2007, he did not vote on a measure that included a fence, more agents, more technology and the detention of immigrants. In July, 2007, he did not vote on a measure appropriating $3 billion for fences and customs requirements on the U.S. - Mexico border. In June, 2007, McCain voted No on an amendment prohibiting undocumented immigrants convicted of certain felonies from gaining legal status. The same month, he voted Yes on an amendment that would require information from renewable 3-year worker visas to be turned over to law enforcement under certain circumstances. He voted No to sunset the Y-1 guest worker program after five years.
In October, 2006, McCain voted Yes on a bill to authorize the construction of 700 miles of additional fencing between the U.S. and Mexico. In May, 2006, McCain voted Yes on the immigration reform bill.


-Workers: McCain supports making it easier for high-skilled workers educated in the U.S. to stay and work in the U.S. after graduation. He wants to reduce bureaucracy and waiting times for workers to come to the U.S., to increase the number of available green cards and make sure the application procedure is fair for American workers.
McCain proposes a market-based system for low-skilled workers to enter the U.S. He advocates worker protection to guard against employer abuse and wants workers to return to their home countries after a temporary period in the United States.


-Misc.: In June, 2007, McCain voted Yes on an amendment to declare English the official language of the business of the federal government.


For more information:

http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/68db8157-d301-4e22-baf7-a70dd8416efa.htm