Candidates Stance on Immigration

Words by Aaron Aguilar
Community Charter Early College High School

With the primary elections just around the corner, it is time to look at the major candidates stance in regards to one of the greatest issues concerning the coming election: immigration. In our neighborhood, which has a large community of immigrants, it is especially important to know where these candidates stand and how our vote will impact future generations of immigrants.

Rudy Giuliani - Republican
Giuliani believes in strengthening border security and takes an offensive stand against illegal immigration. He plans to stop illegal immigration in a period of three years, keeping in mind the strategy that, if it is made very difficult to enter the country illegally, people will stop doing it. As for illegal immigrants who are already in the country, Giuliani believes that a person who comes to the United States illegally and commits a crime should be thrown out. As one of Giuliani’s twelve promises to the American people, he says: “I will end illegal immigration, secure our borders, and identify every non-citizen in our nation.”

Hillary Clinton - Democrat
Clinton seeks to fix the damaged immigration system of the United States. She is looking for a reform on immigration - one that will enhance border security, and better the relationships between the United States and its neighbors. She supports working towards citizenship for those who come to the United States to work hard and follow the law. In the past, Hillary Clinton has campaigned to give medical benefits to low-income, legal immigrant children and pregnant women under the DREAM Act, but has also opposed a proposal that would have granted undocumented immigrants driving licenses in New York City.

John McCain - Republican
McCain’s goal is to restore American’s faith in the government by securing the nation’s borders, not just from illegal immigration, but from contraband that enters the country via the border. In the past he has had several failed attempts to facilitate citizenship for 12 million undocumented immigrants with no criminal record. He recognizes that in order for border control to work, he must also work with Mexico and Latin American countries to better their economies, and reduce illegal immigration. Also, for the people who are already here, he stresses the importance of “learning English, American history and civics, and respecting the values of a democratic society.”

Barack Obama - Democrat
Obama believes, like most other candidates, in stronger border security, but places greater emphasis on keeping families together, and eliminating incentives for people who enter the country illegally. He will encourage those who come in illegally but follow the rules and help the economy to “come out of the shadows,” and supports a path to legal status for them. He proposes a way for employers to more efficiently verify employee’s legality to work meaning that illegal immigrants would have a harder time finding a job, as well as stricter laws on employers who abuse and underpay illegal workers. He says that “we need stronger enforcement on the border… but for reform to work we also must respond to what pulls people to America.”

Whatever our individual stance on this issue, we must be informed of all presidential candidates’ views and opinions. It may be difficult to visualize, but our vote will certainly have an effect on how the issue of immigration (and many other issues as well) will shape up in coming years. One vote does count!

The information referenced in this article was obtained in the candidates’ websites, under each of their “issues” tabs, as well as the following site: http://indyunivision.com