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WITH U.S. PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGNS UNDER WAY, IMMIGRATION POLICY LIKELY TO REMAIN HOT-BUTTON ISSUE IN 2008.

Article Excerpt
The conflict between the US and Mexico regarding US immigration policy is likely to worsen during 2008, as the topic becomes a major theme in the US presidential campaigns, particularly among Republican candidates. The issue has also taken on political overtones in Mexico, with critics accusing President Felipe Calderon's administration of being timid in the dispute. Calderon has strongly criticized a US crackdown on immigrants, but critics say the president is not backing up his words with actions. One US state, Arizona, implemented tough sanctions against employers who hire undocumented immigrants, effective Jan. 1, 2008. Even as the debate continues, the number of Mexicans who died attempting to cross the border increased during 2007.

Both major US parties favor tight enforcement at border

US immigration policies have been a central theme in electoral speeches leading up to the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire presidential primary in January. The issue is likely to remain in the public discourse in the coming months, with a large number of the US states holding caucuses or primaries in January and February.

The leading candidates for both parties continue to push for measures to tighten surveillance at the US-Mexico border, including improvements in infrastructure and an increase in Border Patrol agents to deter illegal immigration. There are some differences among Republicans and Democrats. Three leading Republicans, former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani, ex-Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, have endorsed the construction of the controversial fence along the US-Mexico border (see SourceMex, 2007-02-21, 2007-07-11, and 2007-10-10). Another Republican front-runner, Arizona Sen. John McCain, voted last year for a Senate measure to expand the wall along the border.

The Democratic candidates have mixed positions on the wall. Sens. Hillary Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois have come out in support of the border wall, while New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, the only Latino candidate in the race, has come out strongly against erecting the...

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