The problem with illegal immigration is the lack of a national reform policy. He supports a reform policy that would reduce further illegal immigration by strengthening the borders with more customs and border protection agents. The second part of his reform policy would include creating a pathway toward citizenship for the illegal immigrants who are here , who don’t have a criminal record and who are willing to pay a fine and enroll in a program to become a legal citizen. He also says implementing an employment verification system to stop employers from hiring illegal immigrants is essential to a reform policy.

YouTube video: Democratic Debate: Immigration Reform
Obama discusses his plan for national immigration reform at the CNN Democratic Debates.

Obama’s Illinois Senator Web site: Obama Initiative Would Revisit Radical Changes to Immigration System in Five Years
A statement given on the Senate floor June 6, 2007 outlining Obama’s stance on immigration reform.

— Las Vegas Sun intern s Jenna Kohler and April Corbin contributed to this report.