| | Senator McCain's position on illegal immigration has arguably resulted in the most criticisms from conservatives. On May 12, 2005, McCain joined Senator [[Ted Kennedy]] (D-[[Massachusetts]]) as co-sponsor of the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act. The bill would legalize and eventually grant citizenship to the estimated 12–20 million [[illegal alien]]s in the United States and have them immediately start collecting social security and other government benefits. The bill never came for a vote on the Senate floor. The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006 and the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007 are two additional compromises based on the original McCain-Kennedy bill. McCain has consistently voted for visas for skilled workers. McCain voted for the Secure Fence Act of 2006 and has said border security should be a bigger priority then the illegal aliens who are currently here. | | Senator McCain's position on illegal immigration has arguably resulted in the most criticisms from conservatives. On May 12, 2005, McCain joined Senator [[Ted Kennedy]] (D-[[Massachusetts]]) as co-sponsor of the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act. The bill would legalize and eventually grant citizenship to the estimated 12–20 million [[illegal alien]]s in the United States and have them immediately start collecting social security and other government benefits. The bill never came for a vote on the Senate floor. The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006 and the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007 are two additional compromises based on the original McCain-Kennedy bill. McCain has consistently voted for visas for skilled workers. McCain voted for the Secure Fence Act of 2006 and has said border security should be a bigger priority then the illegal aliens who are currently here. |
| − | In 2018, McCain criticized pro-Trump Republicans' views on immigration, claiming they are on the "wrong side of ... progress" and siding with the [[establishment]].<ref name="Lee2018">Lee, Tony (May 9, 2018). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/05/09/john-mccain-pro-trump-republicans-wrong-side-immigration-debate/ John McCain: Pro-Trump Republicans on ‘Wrong Side’ of Immigration Debate]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 9, 2018.</ref> In June 2018, McCain condemned Trump for pursuing a zero tolerance border policy despite having supported the same policy with [[Jeff Flake]] as recently as 2015.<ref>Munro, Neil (June 19, 2018). [http://www.breitbart.com/2018-elections/2018/06/19/sen-mccain-flip-flops-zero-tolerance-urges-no-detention-migrants/ Sen. McCain Flip-Flops on ‘Zero Tolerance,’ Now Urges Zero Enforcement]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 19, 2018.</ref> | + | In 2018, McCain criticized pro-Trump Republicans' views on immigration, claiming they are on the "wrong side of ... progress" and siding with the [[establishment]].<ref name="Lee2018">Lee, Tony (May 9, 2018). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/05/09/john-mccain-pro-trump-republicans-wrong-side-immigration-debate/ John McCain: Pro-Trump Republicans on ‘Wrong Side’ of Immigration Debate]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 9, 2018.</ref> In June 2018, McCain condemned Trump for pursuing a zero tolerance border policy despite having supported the same policy with [[Jeff Flake]] as recently as 2015.<ref>Munro, Neil (June 19, 2018). [http://www.breitbart.com/2018-elections/2018/06/19/sen-mccain-flip-flops-zero-tolerance-urges-no-detention-migrants/ Sen. McCain Flip-Flops on ‘Zero Tolerance,’ Now Urges Zero Enforcement]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 19, 2018.</ref><ref>Tillett, Emily (June 19, 2018). [https://www.cbsnews.com/news/john-mccain-slams-family-separation-policy-as-an-affront-to-american-decency/ John McCain slams family separation policy as an "affront" to American decency]. ''CBS News''. Retrieved June 19, 2018.</ref> |