“we will never fully secure our border until we create a lawful way for foreign workers to come here and support our economy . . . We must also find a sensible and humane way to deal with people here illegally. Illegal immigration is complicated, but it can be resolved . . . in a way that upholds both our laws and our highest ideals.” – Pres. Bush

“We need stronger enforcement on the border and at the workplace . . . But for reform to work, we also must respond to what pulls people to America . . . Where we can reunite families, we should. Where we can bring in more foreign-born workers with the skills our economy needs, we should. . . . The time to fix our broken immigration system is now. It is critical that as we embark on this enormous venture to update our immigration system, it is fully reflective of the powerful tradition of immigration in this country and . . . our values and ideals.” – Sen. Obama

“a secure border will contribute to addressing our immigration problem most effectively if we also: Recognize the importance of building strong allies in Mexico and Latin America who . . . support freedom and democracy, and seek strong domestic economies with abundant economic opportunities for their citizens . . . Recognize the importance of a flexible labor market to keep employers in business and our economy on top. It should provide skilled Americans and immigrants with opportunity. ” – Sen. McCain

“. . . comprehensive reform must have . . . strengthening of our borders, greater cross-cooperation with our neighbors, strict but fair enforcement of our laws, federal assistance to our state and local governments, strict penalties for those who exploit undocumented workers, and a path to earned legal status for those who are here, working hard, paying taxes, respecting the law, and willing to meet a high bar . . . we need to repair those broken portions of our immigration system that irrevocably damage families . . . ” – Sen. Clinton