OneWorld.net (U.S.)

OneWorld.net note: Pressure from the anti-immigration movement has caused John McCain -- once an ardent supporter of a bill to provide 12 million undocumented immigrants a legal path to citizenship -- to shift toward a more restrictionist stance on immigration, says journalist Lagan Sebert.

• A sign at the RNC; Sep. 3, 2008. © Tom LeGro, NewsHour (flickr)

  Republican presidential candidate John McCain has taken positions on immigration that many immigration restrictionists criticize. McCain's co-sponsorship in 2006 of a comprehensive immigration reform bill with Sen. Edward Kennedy made him a target of restrictionist wrath. Although still supporting "earned legalization," McCain now insists that the U.S.-Mexico border must be secured before there is comprehensive immigration reform. McCain favors temporary work programs and supports an electronic employment verification system to discourage illegal immigration.

• Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama believes the country badly needs comprehensive immigration reform that offers a "path to legalization" for the estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants in the United States. He believes that path should include certain conditions, including learning English and paying a fine. Obama also supports border security measures such as increased Border Patrol, fencing, and technological surveillance, and workplace enforcement. Obama has said that workplace enforcement must be combined with legalization and labor rights. He has also criticized rhetoric that demeans immigrants. On guestworker programs, Obama states that the jobs must first be offered to U.S. citizens at a decent wage.

• McCain and Obama's stances on immigration have been outlined side by side in OneWorld.net's "Campaign '08" edition of Perspectives magazine, which examines where the major presidential candidates stand on key issues affecting all the world's people. Add your thoughts on the campaign today and get the background from experts on foreign policy, national security, foreign aid, global health, the environment, and much more.

• For latest news, background, and groups working on immigration issues worldwide, check out OneWorld.net's Perspectives Magazine edition entitled "Migration - How Free Is Our Freedom to Move?"

McCain Feels the Heat from Anti-Immigration Movement

For more information on the immigration debate, visit American News Project.