Words: McCain believes in giving illegal aliens a path to citizenship, arguing that 14 million illegal aliens is “de facto amnesty”. He advocates fines, waiting periods, and deportation depending on circumstances. He feels that comprehensive reform starts with border security and includes a temporary worker program.

Actions: McCain voted FOR limiting welfare for immigrants (1997), FOR visas for skilled workers (1998), FOR allowing for immigrant labor for farm work (1998), FOR giving “guest workers” a path to citizenship (2006), FOR allowing illegal aliens to participate in Social Security (2006), FOR establishing a “guest worker” program (2006), FOR building a fence along the Mexican border (2006), FOR making English the official language of the US government (2007), and FOR comprehensive immigration reform (2007). Americans for Better Immigration has given him a rating of 10%.

UPDATE: Many within his own party view McCain as dangerously weak on Immigration because of his sponsorship of the McCain-Kennedy Bill which they have labeled “The Amnesty Bill”

More about: Immigration, John McCain.