Most estimates put the number of illegal immigrants in this country at around 5 million. Some view this fact as evidence that illegal immigration is a struggle akin to the civil rights movement of the 1950s. That may sound a bit far-fetched, but in many ways the struggle is similar. We face a public that is in many parts of the nation exceptionally hostile to any illegal immigrants, regardless of their plight. Additionally, the federal government seems to be acting in a way that it deems best for the nation, rather than taking the rampant xenophobia of constituents into account. To look at what is in store for this issue, it may help to review the candidates’—and former candidates’—stances.

Barack Obama has balanced the issue rather nimbly. He has voted consistently in favor of bills that are tough on border security and that include high-tech radar and aerial surveying of border walls. On the other hand, Senator Obama rejects establishing English as the official language of the United States, and is in favor of providing permanent resident status for illegal aliens and their families who have been employed and living in the U.S. for 5 years. Illinois, Obama’s home state, is one of the top 5 states where the most illegal immigrants in the nation reside.

John McCain’s position on the issue is very similar to Obama’s, favoring tough border security, and opposing the establishment of English as the official language. Inconsistent with his party’s politics, in 2006 Senator McCain voted in favor of legislation permitting illegal immigrants to participate in social security. Unlike many politicians seeking to appease every faction of his party, McCain is unapologetic about his policy on immigration. At a 2007 CNN-sponsored debate in New Hampshire, Colorado Congressman Tom Tancredo stated that McCain’s immigration stance codifies Bill Clinton’s executive order mandating multi-lingual federal documents. McCain responded, “Well, first of all, muchas gracias.”

It is astounding to see how many people from across the political spectrum Texas Congressman Ron Paul has rallied around his campaign. Paul’s anti-war, pro-constitutional rights stance has won him the hearts and minds of some left-wing voters. However, if those voters did some research, they would surely find his policy on immigration appalling (no pun intended). Under his plan, he would amend the constitution to repeal birthright citizenship for children of illegal aliens. This means Hispanic children born in the United States would not have a right to healthcare or schooling.

Source: On The Issues

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