John McCain acknowledges that our immigration system is broken, and he believes the solution is a two-step process: secure our borders and reform our immigration policies.
Border Security
McCain has said that the key to immigration reform comes from first securing our borders. He supports increasing the funding for additional resources including personnel and technologies.
Immigration Reform
McCain cosponsored the failed 2007 Senate bill that proposed a guest-worker program with a path to legalization for illegal immigrants. He wants to establish programs that will ensure all undocumented aliens either leave the country or follow a path to legal residence. His priorities are to keep families together and avoid creating a "permanent second class."
Undocumented Workers
McCain intends to prosecute "bad actor" employers and implement new employment verification systems to screen workers for hiring eligibility. In addition, McCain has plans to implement a temporary worker program for both highly skilled workers and low-skilled agricultural workers, while protecting U.S. workers' employment opportunities.
Path to Citizenship
McCain has had a tough time convincing Conservatives that his position on a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants is not amnesty. He has assured his party that in his plan, undocumented immigrants on a path to legalized residence will have to learn English, pay back taxes and fines, and pass a citizenship course. Like Obama, McCain will ensure that those that have been in the country illegally will not receive a green card before those that are already engaged in the legal process.
