Immigration: 2008 contenders' views

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Joe Biden on Immigration

Democratic Sr Senator (DE); Vice President-Elect

Click here for 20 full quotes by Joe Biden OR click here for Joe Biden on other issues.

FactCheck: 67% of illegal aliens speak Spanish; not 40%. (Dec 2007)
H1-B visas only for jobs Americans can�t do. (Dec 2007)
Americans will do any job if you pay them properly. (Dec 2007)
Oppose granting driver�s licenses to illegal immigrants. (Nov 2007)
Supported Bush plan: both border fence & path to citizenship. (Nov 2007)
Sanctuary cities exist because feds can�t enforce their laws. (Sep 2007)
It�s impractical to deport 14 million illegal immigrants. (Jun 2007)
Voted for border fence, but to tackle drug trafficking. (Jun 2007)
Voted YES on continuing federal funds for declared "sanctuary cities". (Mar 2008)
Voted YES on comprehensive immigration reform. (Jun 2007)
Voted NO on declaring English as the official language of the US government. (Jun 2007)
Voted YES on eliminating the "Y" nonimmigrant guestworker program. (May 2007)
Voted YES on building a fence along the Mexican border. (Sep 2006)
Voted YES on establishing a Guest Worker program. (May 2006)
Voted YES on allowing illegal aliens to participate in Social Security. (May 2006)
Voted YES on giving Guest Workers a path to citizenship. (May 2006)
Voted YES on allowing more foreign workers into the US for farm work. (Jul 1998)
Voted NO on visas for skilled workers. (May 1998)
Voted NO on limit welfare for immigrants. (Jun 1997)
Rated 8% by USBC, indicating an open-border stance. (Dec 2006)

Hillary Clinton on Immigration

Democratic Jr Senator (NY); Secretary of State-Designee

Click here for 36 full quotes by Hillary Clinton OR click here for Hillary Clinton on other issues.

No official English, but keep common unifying language. (Feb 2008)
Introduce a path to earn citizenship in the first 100 days. (Feb 2008)
Consider halting certain raids on illegal immigrant families. (Feb 2008)
Border fence that cuts off a college campus is absurd. (Feb 2008)
Deploy technology & personnel, not a border fence. (Feb 2008)
Guest workers only for farms, to address labor shortage. (Feb 2008)
Don�t turn local police into immigration enforcers. (Feb 2008)
Deporting all illegal immigrants is unrealistic. (Jan 2008)
Illegal immigrants with driver�s licenses puts them at risk. (Jan 2008)
Exploitation of undocumented workers drives down wages. (Jan 2008)
Co-sponsored comprehensive immigration reform in 2004. (Jan 2008)
English unifies us; teach ESL but support other languages. (Dec 2007)
Crack down on employers who exploit undocumented workers. (Dec 2007)
Oppose granting driver�s licenses to illegal immigrants. (Nov 2007)
FactCheck: Denied saying licensing illegals �made sense�. (Oct 2007)
Immigrant license issue needs federal action on reform. (Oct 2007)
More border patrolling on both Mexican AND Canadian borders. (Sep 2007)
Immigration reform needs family unification as one goal. (Sep 2007)
Anti-immigrant bill would have criminalized Jesus Christ. (Sep 2007)
Sanctuary cities ok; local police can�t enforce immigration. (Sep 2007)
Opposes illegal immigration, but doesn�t vote to follow up. (Jun 2007)
Making English official imperils crises needing translators. (Jun 2007)
Comprehensive reform to get 12 million out of shadows. (Apr 2007)
Keep New York-Ontario border passport-free for tourism. (Oct 2006)
Adamantly against illegal immigrants. (Sep 2005)
Voted YES on continuing federal funds for declared "sanctuary cities". (Mar 2008)
Voted YES on comprehensive immigration reform. (Jun 2007)
Voted NO on declaring English as the official language of the US government. (Jun 2007)
Voted YES on eliminating the "Y" nonimmigrant guestworker program. (May 2007)
Voted YES on building a fence along the Mexican border. (Sep 2006)
Voted YES on establishing a Guest Worker program. (May 2006)
Voted YES on allowing illegal aliens to participate in Social Security. (May 2006)
Voted YES on giving Guest Workers a path to citizenship. (May 2006)
Sponsored bill covering child resident aliens under Medicaid. (May 2005)
Sponsored bill funding social services for noncitizens. (May 2006)
Rated 8% by USBC, indicating an open-border stance. (Dec 2006)

Tom Daschle on Immigration

Former Democratic Senator (SD); Secretary of H.H.S.-Designee

Click here for 3 full quotes by Tom Daschle OR click here for Tom Daschle on other issues.

Voted NO on allowing more foreign workers into the US for farm work. (Jul 1998)
Voted YES on visas for skilled workers. (May 1998)
Voted NO on limit welfare for immigrants. (Jun 1997)

Rahm Emanuel on Immigration

Democratic Rep. (IL-5); Chief of Staff-Designee

Click here for 6 full quotes by Rahm Emanuel OR click here for Rahm Emanuel on other issues.

Voted NO on building a fence along the Mexican border. (Sep 2006)
Voted NO on preventing tipping off Mexicans about Minuteman Project. (Jun 2006)
Voted NO on reporting illegal aliens who receive hospital treatment. (May 2004)
Rated 0% by FAIR, indicating a voting record loosening immigration. (Dec 2003)
Comprehensive immigration reform without amnesty. (May 2005)
Rated 8% by USBC, indicating an open-border stance. (Dec 2006)

Robert Gates on Immigration

Secretary of Defense-Designee

Click here for Robert Gates on other issues.

No stance on record.

Timothy Geithner on Immigration

Secretary of Treasury-Designee

Click here for Timothy Geithner on other issues.

No stance on record.

Eric Holder on Immigration

Attorney General-Designee

Click here for Eric Holder on other issues.

No stance on record.

John McCain on Immigration

Republican nominee for President; Senior Senator (AZ)

Click here for 40 full quotes by John McCain OR click here for John McCain on other issues.

Restart comprehensive reform only after securing borders. (Jun 2008)
Other aspects only after consensus that borders are secure. (Feb 2008)
Deport 2 million illegal immigrants who committed crimes. (Jan 2008)
Would no longer push his own 2006 immigration proposal. (Jan 2008)
Certify border is secure; only then allow guest workers. (Jan 2008)
2003 �amnesty� didn�t mean rewarding illegal behavior. (Jan 2008)
Round up and deport two million aliens who committed crimes. (Jan 2008)
FactCheck: Yes, he has used the word �amnesty� in the past. (Jan 2008)
Do everything I can to help all immigrants learn English. (Dec 2007)
Illegal immigrants are God�s children as well. (Nov 2007)
Absences from negotiations hurt reform bill�s chances. (Oct 2007)
12 million illegals in country now is de facto amnesty. (Sep 2007)
Amnesty is forgiveness; we offer fines; lines; & long waits. (Sep 2007)
No official English; Native Americans use own languages. (Jun 2007)
Immigration reform needed for national security. (Jun 2007)
Hispanics serve our country, like every wave of immigrants. (Jun 2007)
America expects us to work on immigration together. (May 2007)
Bipartisanship shows preparedness for presidency. (May 2007)
Change rule barring immigrants from running for president. (May 2007)
Comprehensive reform requires temporary worker program. (May 2007)
Comprehensive reform must include border security first. (Apr 2007)
I�ve never supported amnesty. (Jan 2006)
We have to secure the borders first. (Jan 2006)
Make possible for immigrants to do a job Americans won�t do. (Oct 2004)
Give everyone in the world an opportunity to come to America. (Oct 2004)
1988: Honored by La Raza for opposing official English. (Jan 2004)
More help for legal immigrants when immigrating & once here. (Jul 1998)
Voting Record
No more ballot initiatives against immigration. (Mar 1999)
Voted YES on comprehensive immigration reform. (Jun 2007)
Voted YES on declaring English as the official language of the US government. (Jun 2007)
Voted YES on building a fence along the Mexican border. (Sep 2006)
Voted YES on establishing a Guest Worker program. (May 2006)
Voted YES on allowing illegal aliens to participate in Social Security. (May 2006)
Voted YES on giving Guest Workers a path to citizenship. (May 2006)
Voted YES on allowing more foreign workers into the US for farm work. (Jul 1998)
Voted YES on visas for skilled workers. (May 1998)
Voted YES on limit welfare for immigrants. (Jun 1997)
English immersion over bilingual education. (Jul 2001)
Sponsored comprehensive immigration reform, without amnesty. (May 2005)
Rated 18% by USBC, indicating an open-border stance. (Dec 2006)

Janet Napolitano on Immigration

Democratic AZ Governor; Designee for Secretary of Homeland Security

Click here for 2 full quotes by Janet Napolitano OR click here for Janet Napolitano on other issues.

You build a 50-foot wall, somebody will find a 51-ft ladder. (Nov 2008)
Crackdown on employers who hire illegal workers, not workers. (Nov 2008)

Barack Obama on Immigration

Junior Senator (IL); President-Elect

Click here for 41 full quotes by Barack Obama OR click here for Barack Obama on other issues.

America has nothing to fear from today�s immigrants. (Jun 2008)
We need comprehensive reform, like McCain used to support. (Jun 2008)
Recognize the humanity of immigrants: Todos somos Americanos. (Jun 2008)
GovWatch: Anti-immigrants fuel xenophobia, but 45% increase. (Jun 2008)
Encourage every student to learn a second language. (Feb 2008)
Need to look at different aspects of immigration reform. (Feb 2008)
Have border patrolled, surveillance, and deploy technology. (Feb 2008)
Increasing the legal fees on immigrants is not helping. (Feb 2008)
Deporting 12 million people is ridiculous and impractical. (Feb 2008)
Immigration raids are ineffective. (Feb 2008)
Solve the driver�s license issue with immigration reform. (Jan 2008)
Immigrants are scapegoats for high unemployment rates. (Jan 2008)
Health plan: not enough resources for illegal immigrants. (Jan 2008)
Illegals shouldn�t work; but should have path to citizenship. (Dec 2007)
Don�t deputize Americans to turn in illegal immigrants. (Dec 2007)
OK to provide government services in Spanish. (Dec 2007)
Comprehensive solution includes employers & borders. (Nov 2007)
Undocumented workers come here to work, not to drive. (Nov 2007)
Support granting driver�s licenses to illegal immigrants. (Nov 2007)
FactCheck: Lightning IS likelier than employer prosecution. (Nov 2007)
Illegal immigrants� lack of ID is a public safety concern. (Oct 2007)
Immigration system is broken for legal immigrants. (Sep 2007)
Reform must include more border security, and border wall. (Sep 2007)
Sanctuary cities show that feds are not enforcing law. (Sep 2007)
Pathway to citizenship, but people have to earn it. (Aug 2007)
Let�s be a nation of laws AND a nation of immigrants. (Aug 2007)
Do a better job patrolling the Canadian and Mexican borders. (Jun 2007)
Give immigrants who are here a rigorous path to citizenship. (Jun 2007)
Extend welfare and Medicaid to immigrants. (Jul 1998)
Voting Record
Support the DREAM Act for the children of illegal immigrants. (Jan 2008)
Voted YES on continuing federal funds for declared "sanctuary cities". (Mar 2008)
Voted YES on comprehensive immigration reform. (Jun 2007)
Voted NO on declaring English as the official language of the US government. (Jun 2007)
Voted YES on building a fence along the Mexican border. (Sep 2006)
Voted YES on establishing a Guest Worker program. (May 2006)
Voted YES on allowing illegal aliens to participate in Social Security. (May 2006)
Voted YES on giving Guest Workers a path to citizenship. (May 2006)
Comprehensive immigration reform without amnesty. (May 2005)
Sponsored bill paying fair prevailing wage to guest workers. (May 2006)
Provide funding for social services for noncitizens. (May 2006)
Rated 8% by USBC, indicating an open-border stance. (Dec 2006)

Sarah Palin on Immigration

Republican Governor (AK); ; nominee for Vice President

Click here for 8 full quotes by Sarah Palin OR click here for Sarah Palin on other issues.

Supports a path to citizenship, but no amnesty for illegals. (Oct 2008)
Never supported Pat Buchanan for president. (Sep 2008)
Has not often expressed views on illegal immigration. (Aug 2008)
OpEd: Palin is sick to death of this immigration nonsense. (Mar 2008)
Address jointly with Canada the border security challenges. (Jan 2007)
Immigrants want more vocational training & senior assistance. (Oct 2006)
Took no action on Alaska�s �sanctuary cities�. (Sep 2006)
Tightened restrictions on illegal alien�s drivers licenses. (Sep 2006)

Bill Richardson on Immigration

Democratic Governor (NM); Secretary of Commerce-Designee

Click here for 22 full quotes by Bill Richardson OR click here for Bill Richardson on other issues.

Allowed giving driver�s licenses to illegal immigrants. (Nov 2007)
Driver�s license for illegals helps public safety. (Nov 2007)
Declared state of emergency in NM�s four border counties. (Nov 2007)
We pay for immigrant healthcare; have them pay into system. (Sep 2007)
Increase H-1B visas to permit more skilled workers. (Sep 2007)
Border wall is horrendous example of misguided policy. (Sep 2007)
Federal raids are ineffective; we dehumanize immigrants. (Sep 2007)
Sanctuary cities ok until we have comprehensive policy. (Sep 2007)
Include same-sex couples in binational marriage sponsorship. (Aug 2007)
Comprehensive reform needed; but McCain-Kennedy bill flawed. (Jun 2007)
McCain-Kennedy bill is not amnesty; it has strong standards. (Jun 2007)
A wall on Mexican border is not America. (Jun 2007)
A wall divides families and doesn�t solve the problem. (Jun 2007)
The 2007 immigration bill is not an amnesty bill. (Jun 2007)
Opposes compromise immigration bill: it tears apart families. (May 2007)
Border fence hasn�t worked; border patrols & tech have. (May 2007)
Driver�s licenses & scholarships for illegals; not amnesty. (May 2007)
Legalization plan, not this stupid wall being proposed. (Mar 2007)
Declared state of emergency on Mexican border. (Nov 2006)
Path to legalization if illegals pay taxes & learn English. (Nov 2006)
Reduce immigration; no automatic citizenship for kids. (Nov 1996)
Guarantee human services to illegal immigrants. (Nov 1996)

Eric Shinseki on Immigration

Secretary of Veterans Affairs-Designee

Click here for Eric Shinseki on other issues.

No stance on record.

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