Republican presidential candidate, John McCain, tours Mexican Federal Police headquarters in the Ixtapala section of Mexico City, on July 3, 2008.
©LM Otero/AP Images

John McCain
John McCain feels strongly about securing America’s borders and took action to make that happen in 2006 by voting for the Secure Fence Act. The legislation called for the construction of a 700-mile fence along the U.S.-Mexican border. To date, 330 miles have been built in California, Arizona, and New Mexico.

McCain supports setting up a legal path to citizenship for some of the 12 million illegal immigrants who are currently living in the United States. He is quick to point out that the path to legalization for these immigrants is not amnesty. They will have to work hard for their citizenship by learning English, paying fines, and passing a citizenship course, he says. They should not be granted citizenship before those who have been waiting legally to become citizens, says McCain.

McCain supports a temporary worker program to meet the needs of America’s labor force. Under this program, workers would have to return home once their job assignments end.