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Immigration
The battle over illegal immigration promises to rage on until Election Day and beyond. Read the stances of the presidential candidates below. The views of the vice presidential candidates are shown where available.
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REPUBLICANS
John McCainCo-sponsored Bush-backed immigration reform legislation, which would have increased funding and improved border security technology, improved enforcement of existing laws, and provided a legal path to citizenship for some illegal immigrants. Voted to authorize construction of a 700-mile fence along the U.S.-Mexican border.
Watch McCain speak about immigration
DEMOCRATS
Barack ObamaSupported Bush-backed immigration reform legislation, which would have increased funding and improved border security technology, improved enforcement of existing laws, and provided a legal path to citizenship for some illegal immigrants. Voted to authorize construction of a 700-mile fence along the U.S.-Mexican border.
Watch Obama speak about immigration
Joe BidenSupported the Bush-backed 2006 bill for comprehensive immigration reform. Said, "this was the only bill that adequately addressed all three pieces: mandating tough border security, tightening our temporary guest worker program and finding a humane and reasonable way to deal with the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants living and working in the United States." The bill included a 700-mile fence along the U.S. border.
Obama and McCain: Key Senate Votes from 2005 through 2008
Immigration Overhaul
June 28, 2007 -- U.S. Senate refuses -- by a vote of 46-53 -- to limit debate on bill that would overhaul U.S. immigration policy. The bill was intended to increase border security and provide a path toward legal status for many illegal residents.
McCain: Did not vote
Obama: Nay
Immigration Overhaul
May 25, 2006 -- The U.S. Senate passes -- by a vote of 62-36 -- a bill to provide for comprehensive immigration reform, including a guest-worker program and a path to citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants.
McCain: Yea
Obama: Yea
(Sources: CQ Weekly; U.S. Senate Legislation Database)
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Resources
The issues that make up American politics have many voices. Here are a few governmental organizations, interest groups and companies from across the political spectrum that are actors in the immigration debate.
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