Immigration issue takes back seat in presidential race

Web Posted: 07/05/2008 10:57 PM CDT

By Hernán Rozemberg


What's the top issue you'd like to hear candidates discuss in the presidential campaign?

If it's the economy, join the club — countless polls indicate it's the leading concern.

National security, particularly in light of the ongoing war in Iraq, as well as health care, also tend to get the most attention.

So what happened to immigration?

Despite a drumbeat of national headlines since 2005 and its key role in the 2006 congressional races, immigration has been relegated to second-tier status during this year's presidential primaries. And experts don't see the trend changing much in the final contest between Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama.

“We just don't see immigration showing up,â€