U.S. Border Control

Clinton

Obama

McCain

On a Border Fence -------------------------------------------------------

"Let’s deploy more technology and personnel, instead of the physical barrier."
Clinton voted for the Secure Fence Act of 2006, which authorized a fence on the Mexican border, but has softened her support by criticizing the fence’s execution.

"The key is to consult with local communities [when] creating any kind of barrier."
Obama voted for the fence but has since joined Clinton in de-emphasizing his support, which is unpopular in border towns and among Hispanic voters.

"Borders are borders, and there should be agreements between the landowners and the federal government."
McCain voted for the fence and has encouraged agreements to allow the government to enter private property to survey land.

On a Guest-Worker Program -------------------------------------------------------

"It is easier sometimes to employ people who are immigrants and… really take advantage of them."
Despite voting for the failed McCain-Kennedy bill, Clinton says she opposes a guest-worker program because it could depress U.S. wages.

"Illegal immigration is bad for illegal immigrants and bad for the workers against whom they compete."
Obama supports a guest-worker program with a database of workers, arguing it will improve wages and conditions for all workers.

"We need workers in this country. There are certain jobs that Americans are simply not willing to do."
McCain cosponsored the failed Senate bill that proposed a guest-worker program with a registry and a path to legalization for illegal immigrants.

On Legalization/Amnesty -------------------------------------------------------

"[Deporting all illegal immigrants] is absolutely unrealistic, and it is not in keeping with American values."
Clinton supports allowing illegal immigrants to apply for legal residency if they pay a penalty and don’t have a criminal record.

"Give the 12 million people who are here illegally… many of whom have U.S. citizens for children…a pathway to legalization."
Obama supports giving illegal immigrants a path to legal residency, similar to Clinton’s position.

"Make them earn citizenship because they have broken our laws."
As a principal author of the failed immigration bill, which would have given illegal immigrants a path to citizenship, McCain has struggled to convince conservatives that his plan is not amnesty.

On Enforcement and Security -------------------------------------------------------

"It is unconscionable to think that in a post-9/11 world, we do not precisely know who is entering and exiting our country."
Clinton voted for comprehensive immigration reform, which would work to enhance national security by tightening the borders and implementing an employer verification system.

"I will make sure that the federal government does what it’s supposed to do...a better job of closing our borders and preventing hundreds of thousands of people to pour in."
Obama voted for comprehensive immigration reform and has stressed that legalizing workers will boost U.S. wages.

"I will secure the borders first, and I will have the border states’ governors certify that those borders are secured. We can do it with UAVs, with vehicle barriers, with walls, and with high tech and cameras."
McCain, a key player in the immigration reform fight, has moved from pushing the cause of legalization to emphasizing the need for border security first.