Barack Obama: U.S. presidential election, 2008/On immigration



Sen. Barack Obama (D-Illinois) took an active role in the U.S. Senate's drive for improved border security and immigration reform. 

Legislation
In 2005, he co-sponsored S. 1033, the "Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act", introduced May 12, 2005, by Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).

Obama added three amendments to S. 2611, "Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act", sponsored by Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Penn.). S. 2611 passed the Senate in May 2006, but failed to gain majority support in the U.S. House of Representatives. 

In September 2006, Obama supported a related bill, the "Secure Fence Act of 2006" authorizing construction of fencing and other security improvements along the United States–Mexico border.  President George W. Bush signed the Secure Fence Act into law in October 2006, calling it "an important step toward immigration reform." 

Related SourceWatch articles

 * Barack Obama: U.S. presidential election, 2008
 * illegal immigration

On the Issues

 * Political views of Barack Obama in the Wikipedia.
 * GovTrack Statistics: Barack Obama
 * Barack H. Obama, Project VoteSmart.
 * Compare where Barack Obama stands on the issues at whereIstand.com.
 * liberal democrat, "Obama's Congressional Record," Kucinich 2008, January 22, 2007.

External articles

 * Juan Andrade Jr., "Backing 700-mile fence could put Obama up against wall in '08," Chicago Sun-Times, December 18, 2006.
 * Suzanne Gamboa, "Obama Backs Citizenship Promotion Bill," Associated Press, March 7, 2007.
 * Fawn Johnson, "Democrats aiming to roll back planned hike in citizenship fee," CongressDaily (GovExec.com), March 7, 2007.
 * Patriot, "Obama, Gutierrez, Schakowsky Bill Would Send Immigration Fee Hikes Back To Drawing Board," All American Patriots, March 8, 2007. re Citizenship Promotion Act
 * Digby, "Immigration Debate," Hullabaloo, November 15, 2007.
 * Bonney Kapp, "Obama takes the tough questions," Fox News, November 19, 2007. Includes video link.