IMMIGRATION

Obama: Plans to address immigration by creating secure borders and removing incentives to enter the country illegally. Supports additional personnel, infrastructure and technology along the country’s border and ports of entry and cracking down on employers who hire illegal immigrants. Supports a system that would allow illegal immigrants in good standing to pay a fine, learn English and receive another opportunity to become citizens.

McCain: Has the top priority of securing the nation’s borders by setting objectives for physical and virtual barriers and ensuring adequate funding is provided for border training, staff and technology. Plans to implement an electronic employment verification system to ensure workers are screened for eligibility and will prosecute employers who hire illegal immigrants.

FREE TRADE

Obama: Will support a trade policy that opens foreign markets to support American jobs and pressure the World Trade Organization to enforce trade agreements and stop countries from using unfair government subsidies to foreign exporters. Plans to end tax breaks for companies that send jobs overseas and ensure public contracts are awarded to companies invested in American workers.

McCain: Believes the United States should engage in efforts to reduce trade barriers, level the global playing field and build effective enforcement of global trading rules. Would work to prepare the next generation of American workers by improving education, allowing students to have access to any school of excellence. He also would overhaul unemployment insurance and make it a program for retraining, relocating and assisting workers who have lost a job.

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Sources: Obama campaign, McCain campaign