These are the positions of the junior Senator from Illinois and our presumptive nominee on immigration issues.
Comprehensive Solution Includes Employers & Borders
Democratic debate in Las Vegas, Nevada; 11/15/07
What we have to do is create a comprehensive solution to the problem. As president I will make sure that we finally have the kind of border security that we need. Employers have to be held accountable. When we do those things, we can take the illegal aliens who are here, get them out of the shadows, make sure that they are subject to a stiff penalty, make sure that they're learning English and go to the back of the line so they're not getting an advantage over people who came here legally.
Undocumented Workers Come Here to Work, Not to Drive
Democratic debate in Las Vegas, Nevada; 11/15/07
When I was a state senator in Illinois, I voted to require that illegal aliens get trained, get a license, get insurance to protect public safety. That was my intention. The problem we have here is not driver's licenses. Undocumented workers do not come here to drive. They're here to work. Instead of being distracting by what has now become a wedge issue, let's focus on actually solving the problem that this administration, the Bush administration, had done nothing about it.
Support Granting Driver's Licenses to Illegal Immigrants
Democratic debate in Las Vegas, Nevada; 11/15/07
Q: In the absence of comprehensive immigration reform, do you support driver's licenses for illegal immigrants?
A: Yes. I am going to be fighting for comprehensive immigration reform, and we shouldn't pose the question that, somehow, we can't achieve that. The American people desperately want it; that's what I'm going to be fighting for as president.
Illegal Immigrants' Lack of Id Is a Public Safety Concern
Democratic debate at Drexel University; 10/30/07
There is a public safety concern [with denying driver's licenses to illegal immigrants]. We can make sure that drivers who are illegal come out of the shadows, that they can be tracked, that they are properly trained, and that will make our roads safer. That doesn't negate the need for us to reform illegal immigration.
Pathway to Citizenship, but People Have to Earn it
AFL-CIO Democratic primary forum; 8/8/07
Q: Are you going to create a path to the citizenship for undocumented workers?
A: We have to make sure that employers are held accountable, because right now employers are taking advantage of undocumented workers. And we've got to give a pathway to citizenship. But people have to earn it. They're going to have to pay a fine. They've got to make sure that they're learning English. They've got to go to the back of the line so that they're not rewarded for having broken the law.