McCain vs. Obama on the Issues: Immigration

(Released July 4) WASHINGTON — Immigration is an issue close to the heart of both John McCain, who hails from the border state of Arizona, and Barack Obama, the son of a Kenyan immigrant.

The subject has taken on heightened political relevance this year. A record 12 million Hispanics are expected to vote on Election Day — a 60 percent increase over 2004 levels — and they could tip the balance in the critical battleground states of Florida, Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico.

The candidates differ little on the key issue of immigration reform. Both support secure borders and a guest-worker plan that provides a path toward citizenship for the estimated 12 million immigrants in this country illegally and protects them from employer abuse.

OBAMA

KEY POSITIONS

— Backs immigration reform that provides a path to U.S. citizenship for many of the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in the U.S. Cracks down on employers who hire illegal immigrants and creates a guest-worker program that protects many of these immigrants from the threat of deportation or employer abuse. Favors allowing illegal immigrants to apply for a drivers license.

VERBATIM

"We need immigration reform that will secure our borders and punish employers who exploit immigrant labor. We also need reform that finally brings the 12 million people who are here illegally out of the shadows, requiring them to take steps to become legal citizens, putting them on a pathway to citizenship.

RECORD

— Voted against making English the national language. The measure passed in the Senate but did not become law. Voted for building 700 miles of new fence along the U.S.-Mexico border.

MCCAIN

KEY POSITIONS

— Backs immigration reform that provides a path to U.S. citizenship for many of the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in this country. Cracks down on employers who hire illegal immigrants and creates a guest-worker program that protects many of these immigrants from the threat of deportation or employer abuse.

VERBATIM

"Immigration reform will be my top priority. ... We have to secure our borders. But we also must proceed with a temporary worker program. ... There are 12 million people who are here, and they are here illegally, and they are God's children. And they will be treated in a humane fashion."

RECORD

Voted in 2006 to build 700 miles of new fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border. Has supported increases in border patrol funding. Voted to make English the national language. The measure passed in the Senate but did not become law.

BOTH CANDIDATES

COST OF PROPOSALS AND HOW TO PAY FOR THEM

Economists debate whether illegal immigrants help or hurt the economy, so costs of a guest-worker program are hard to determine. Cost estimates for building 700 miles of border fence range from $2.1 billion to $6.3 billion, though the cost of building the fence and maintaining it for 25 years could be as much as $49 billion, according to estimates by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service.