Head to head: Immigration
Sept. 19, 2008 06:14 PM
The Arizona Republic


Comprehensive immigration reform
Obama: Supported the 2006 bill and a second attempt, in 2007, at comprehensive immigration reform. Remains committed to a broader approach to solving illegal immigration and has said he would introduce an immigration bill during his first year in office.

McCain: The unsuccessful 2006 comprehensive immigration bill he drafted was aimed at beefing up border security and work-site enforcement, creating a guest-worker program and letting undocumented immigrants earn legal status. McCain now says the border must be secured first before other immigration reforms are considered.

Border Security
Obama: Supports tougher border security as part of comprehensive plan to reform the immigration system. Would improve border security by adding personnel, infrastructure and technology on the border and at ports of entry. Voted to authorize 700 miles of new border fencing. Would continue to promote fencing where it discourages people from illegally entering but he would not "bully" land owners and municipalities that have tried to prevent the fence from being built in some areas.

McCain: Says the nation's borders should be secured before proceeding with other reforms. Would ask border state governors to certify that the border is secure. Says border security should include physical and virtual barriers, and unmanned planes. Voted to authorize 700 miles of new border fencing.



Illegal immigrants
Obama: Would allow undocumented immigrants to become citizens provided they paid a fine, learned English, and did not violate the law. Undocumented immigrants would have to start at the back of the line for green cards.

McCain: Wants to require all undocumented immigrants to enroll in a program to resolve their status. Those who have committed crimes would be prosecuted and deported. The rest would receive a path to legal status provided they learn English, pay back taxes and fines and pass a citizenship course. Would guarantee that no illegal immigrants receive a green card before those who have legally waited outside the country.

Worksite raids
Obama: Recently called worksite raids a publicity stunt intended to focus attention away from the need for comprehensive reforms. Says the government must enforce the law but says raids must be weighed against cost and effectiveness.

McCain: Says he would prosecute "bad-actor" employers who continue to hire illegal immigrants.

E-Verify
Obama: Wants to create a new employment eligibility verification system so employers can verify that their workers are legally eligible to work in the U.S.

McCain: Once borders are secure, he would implement an electronic verification system to instantly screen workers to make sure they are legally eligible to work.

Guest workers
Obama: Supports a guestworker program, but has said he is concerned that letting more foreign workers into the U.S. could drive down wages for Americans and create an underclass of workers unable to become citizens. Voted in favor of a proposal that would have slashed the annual limit on temporary visas from 400,000 to 200,000 under the failed 2007 comprehensive immigration reform package.

McCain: Supported a program that would have let more foreign workers enter the U.S. with temporary visas to meet labor demands. Says the program must meet the labor needs in both high-tech and low skilled sectors while protecting job opportunities for U.S. workers

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