Key presidential candidates from both major parties are split on the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007, particularly the section that calls for a new-immigrant guest-worker program and "point system" that values skill over familial ties when applying for citizenship.
The Senate voted Tuesday to retain the controversial clause but today voted to drastically reduce the number of foreign workers allowed to work in the United States using temporary visas. The new proposal caps the number of visas provided under the knowledge-based guest-worker program at 200,000 per year, which is half the number advocated by the Bush administration. The initial plan also had called for a potential increase of up to 600,000 visas per year, depending on market demand.
Of the sitting senators in the running for the 2008 presidential election, who voted--and how?
Immigration has become a defining issue for each of the presidential hopefuls--what are their views on this subject and other issues important to you? Subscribe now to get DiversityInc's June issue to find out. The June issue will tell you which of the eight major presidential candidates has the worst campaign-staff diversity and provide snapshots of their views on key issues.
The highly controversial bill, released last week, evolved from months of political stalemate and two weeks of closed-door negotiations by key senators and the White House. It proposes a new immigration system that would provide a guest-worker program for new arrivals in the United States, strengthen borders with high-tech equipment, and create a path to citizenship for an estimated 12 million undocumented workers.
Here's how eight major presidential candidates historically have positioned themselves on immigration and how each reacted to the proposed reform:
Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y.: Emphasizes a need to strengthen borders while protecting the families and the rights of those seeking citizenship. Advocates path to citizenship and Social Security for undocumented workers. Voted for the hard-line Immigration Reform Bill and creation of a 700-mile fence to protect borders (2006)
Today's Vote: Voted with majority to slash number of foreign workers allowed to work under the guest-worker program. Clinton seeks to increase the number of visas allotted to family members of legal permanent residents, according to the Associated Press.
Yesterday's Vote: Clinton, who is expecting strong support from U.S. labor unions, voted yesterday to eliminate the guest-worker program, which would prioritize skilled labor over family connections in determining who gets green cards.
What She Has Said: "Comprehensive immigration reform must have as essential ingredients a strengthening of our borders, greater cross-cooperation with our neighbors, strict but fair enforcement of our laws...We must also ensure that any bill protects the sanctity of families and does not lead to the creation of a new underclass in our country."
Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.: Supports electronic verification to ensure workers are legal; voted for 700-mile fence along the Mexican border. Voted to establish a guest-worker program that provides a path to citizenship and to allow undocumented workers to participate in Social Security
Today's Vote: Voted to cut guest-worker program and hopes to challenge the point system. In response to its devaluation of family, Obama stated that the point system "constitutes at minimum a radical experiment in social engineering and a departure from our tradition of having family and employers invite immigrants to come."
Yesterday's Vote: Absent for Tuesday's Senate vote on the controversial guest-worker program. Says immigration should be monitored closely, but emphasizes the need for America to embrace its tradition of immigration.
What He Has Said: "It behooves us to remember that not every single immigrant who came into the United States through Ellis Island had proper documentation. Not every one of our grandparents or great-grandparents would have necessarily qualified for legal immigration."
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.: Supports guest-worker program, Social Security and path to citizenship for undocumented workers; voted for hard-line Immigration Reform Bill; supports temporary visas for skilled workers (2006)
Today's Vote: Absent
Yesterday's Vote: Absent for Tuesday's Senate vote. Expressed great pride at the compromise made and said he felt it was a step in the right direction.. He was one of the bill's co-sponsors and main advocates.
What He Has Said: "A comprehensive plan for immigration reform is long overdue. I am proud to join this distinguished bipartisan group in announcing an historic overhaul of our immigration system ... Immigration reform is key to maintaining our nation's vibrant economy."
Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del. : Supported the Immigration Reform Act of 2006. He calls for a path to citizenship and Social Security for undocumented immigrants, many of whom he believes are driven here by wealth disparities in Mexico.
Yesterday's Vote: Voted to eliminate guest-worker program. Hasn't specifically commented on the proposed reform.
What He Has Said: Praises a "rational and limited guest-worker program and electronic-verification system for employers," regarding the Immigration Reform Act of 2006.
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Republican: Favored the Senate's comprehensive immigration plan, which included a path to citizenship and a guest-worker plan. As mayor, continued a policy of preventing city employees from contacting the Immigration and Naturalization Service about immigration violations; expressed doubt that the federal government can stop undocumented immigration
What He Has Said: "There should be a tamper-proof ID card ... that everyone who comes here from a foreign country should have. In order to make sure you identify everyone, in order to be secure ...."
Former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C.: Supports a path to citizenship for law-abiding undocumented workers already in the United States.
What He Has Said: "We can address the problem at our southern border by assigning more personnel and equipping them with better technology ... As for the people who are living here now who came illegally...the practical thing we can do is to provide a path to citizenship to those who are here illegally but are otherwise law-abiding."
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Republican: Undocumented immigration needs to end and that this nation must secure its borders, implement a mandatory, tamper-proof documentation and employment-verification system, and increase legal immigration into America
What He Has Said: "I strongly oppose today's bill going through Senate. It is the wrong approach. Any legislation that allows illegal immigrants to stay in the country indefinitely, as the new 'Z-Visa' does, is a form of amnesty. That is unfair to the millions of people who have applied to legally immigrate to the U.S."
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, Democrat: Supports a path to citizenship for immigrants who are paying taxes, learning English and contributing to U.S. society; also supports cracking down on employers who knowingly hire undocumented immigrants. Says an emphasis on skilled workers over familial ties in attaining citizenship could be devastating to families of undocumented workers, which is the primary problem many Democrats find with the proposed reform. Supports the bill's security measures and advocates tough citizenship requirements for undocumented.
What He Has Said: "There needs to be an earned path to legalization ... While our country should always look to make our work-force globally competitive, we should be careful not to tear apart America's families."
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