Obama and McCain clash but promise to prioritize immigration reform

Courting the increasingly influential Latino vote, the rival presidential candidates each pledged Saturday to make overhauling the nation's immigration policies a top priority, writes Richard Simon.

In separate appearances before the National Assn. of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain looked for every possible way to connect with their audience and emphasize distinctions between themselves.

Both political camps are working hard for the Latino vote. A projected 9.3 million Latinos will go to the polls this year, up from 7.6 million in 2004 and 2.5 million in 1980, according to the Tomas Rivera Policy Institute at USC. In California, more than 2.6 million Latinos will cast votes this year, up from about 2.1 million in 2004, the institute projects.

On the central question of providing a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants, Obama accused McCain of shifting positions to suit his audience.

"When he was running for his party's nomination, he walked away from that commitment," Obama said. "He said that he wouldn't even support his own legislation if it came up for a vote."

Read on...

-- Deborah Bonello in Mexico City

Photo: REACHING OUT: Barack Obama after addressing Latino leaders. He and John McCain each told the group that border security must be part of the solution. Melissa Golden / Getty Images

Comments

[susan ward]

It is about time either candidate made a clear statement and stance on comprehensive immigration reforms, This should NOT just mean dealing with the illegals.

Comprehensive immigration reforms must include fixing the broken immigration system, have compassion and reunite families, that came here legally yet separated from loved ones due to errors and delays.

I do believe that illegal children should be allowed to be documented as they had no choice as to where their parents brought them to live. However, their parents should never be allowed to gain legal status unless they return to their home country and apply through the proper legal channels.

Many people invest in the usa and employ thousands of USC yet if the main visa holder passes away the spouse is immediately illegal and work authorization is canceled.. Yet they can inherit the business, pay tax on the inheritance,

for commonsense immigration reforms for legals see www.expatsvoice.org

[JCarlos]

I am a middle aged Hispanic and will try here to explain how we,with some exceptions, feel about undocumented workers. I also regard myself as a typical hispanic.

Hispanics are one cultural family and owe allegiance to one country or another. I, my family and friends owe ours to the good old USA. Many of us are vets and taxpayers.

Per the above, we are one big family and when someone picks on one, he/she picks on all. When the Republicans pass cruel and punitive laws regarding our "brothers and sisters", we feel the snubs, the slights and insinuations. Plainly, the ultra-conservative GOP is saying we do not want any more of you people. You are lazy, criminals, dirty and use up our tax monies. The Republicans have been broadcasting that message for years and we are sick of it. Our way of taking care of this problem will be by voting Democratic in 11/2008 and getting rid of those lawmakers who demonize Hispanics.

We do realize that there is an illegal immigration problem but it must be dealt with in a fair compassionate way equitable to as many folks as possible. Some hate-mongering Republicans have proven that they do not want a place at the table for this.

[FRANKIE KELLY]

"Imagine there's no country. It isn't hard to do. Nothing to kill or die for..."

[Brittanicus]

AMNESTY IS COMING! AMNESTY IS COMING!
You have read the newspapers?

Either Senator Obama or McCain, once they step into the White House, are going to relentlessly push for a path to citizenship, for the estimated 30 + million plus illegal aliens and families. Even Mrs. Clinton will demand a green card for everybody here. It's going to cost you! Cost you dearly in even more government handouts! More than you ever suspected? You know the predator employers are not paying anything extra for their up-keep. All the little politicians, Governors, Mayors are all going to genuflect to the new potential voters. Like the Europe Union you will become the second class citizens, as new legalized immigrants get priority. It has happened in England and it's going to happen here! The Democrats are hiding from the federal SAVE ACT (H.R.4088), because it will add more ruthless power to the 1986 enforcement bill.

Without the SAVE ACT, the consequences are unthinkable. Millions more patiently waiting in third world countries, will sweep down on through the perforated border fence and drown us in a economic disaster. Demand the SAVE ACT! (2022243121 ) Go here for the unsuppressed truth. Not what the liberal biased media tells you. NUMBERSUSA.