Immigration Issue Is Tricky Territory

LOS ANGELES – For the presidential candidates the immigration (search) issue is a minefield — say too much and white voters will get angry, say too little and Hispanics will feel alienated.

Both sides are dodging one word considered political suicide: amnesty (search) —  the gift of American citizenship for an estimated 10 million people living in the United States illegally. Because border busting isn't all that popular with most voters, both parties are being careful, offering normalization and legalization without offering outright citizenship.

"I propose a temporary worker program that will match willing foreign workers with willing American employers when no American workers can be found to fill the jobs," President Bush (search) has said.

Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry (search) has said that if elected, in his first 100 days as president, he will send a comprehensive immigration reform bill to Congress that does justice for immigrants.

"It will ensure that good people who are undocumented but are living here, working hard, paying taxes, who've stayed out of trouble have a path to equal citizenship."

Critics say both plans lead to amnesty, rewarding and encouraging illegal entry.

Go to the video box at the top of this story to watch a report by FOX News' William La Jeunesse.