Hispanic activists who once viewed former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee as a voice of moderation on immigration say they have been taken aback by the changed stance he’s adopted as a presidential candidate.  According to The Associated Press, Huckabee, while governor, attracted great support from Hispanic leaders by denouncing federal immigration raids and suggesting that some anti-undocumented immigration measures were driven by racism.  During his tenure, he also advocated making children of undocumented immigrants eligible for college scholarships; this particular issue has become an issue from his presidential rivals, who accuse him as soft on immigration.

The stances made by Huckabee during the presidential election has taken a more stern tone; this month he unveiled a plan to seal the Mexican border; he has touted the support for his candidacy from the Minuteman Project, an anti-immigration group whose volunteers patrol the Mexican border.  His new tone has made Hispanic leaders concerned.  "He’s trying to be tougher on immigration than we’ve ever seen him before," said Carlos Cervantes, the Arkansas director of the League of United Latin American Citizens.  "That’s kind of worrisome now.  He was willing to work with the communities.  I don’t see that he’s willing to work with us now." 

Former LULAC President Hector Flores said he admired Huckabee’s leadership on immigration.  "I thought he was doing the best thing to chart the course for Arkansas in a more moderate fashion, being open to new ideas."  However, Flores said he’s troubled by Huckabee’s more recent stance.  "I think he’s getting bad advice," Flores said.  "I don’t know who he’s listening to.  That’s not the progressive attitude that I sensed and observed two years ago in Arkansas from Governor Huckabee."

*****

The Chicago Tribune recently collected the stance on immigration of every presidential candidate, via their websites:

     Republicans:

·         Rudy Giuliani: Favors path to citizenship for some undocumented immigrants, supports border fence.

·         Mike Huckabee: Favors border fence, rules out a pathway to citizenship unless undocumented immigrants first return to country of origin.  As Arkansas governor, backed in-state tuition for illegal immigrants.

·         John McCain: Co-sponsored Immigration Reform Act of 2006, which would provide a path to citizenship for some undocumented immigrants and fence construction along part of the U.S-Mexico border.

·         Mitt Romney: Opposes any ‘special pathway’ to legal status, favors fence.

·         Fred Thompson: Opposes path of citizenship for undocumented immigrants, favors fence.

·         Ron Paul: Favors deportation of undocumented immigrants, wants to end birthright citizenship

Democrats

·         Barack Obama: Voted for Immigration Reform Act of 2006

·         Hillary Clinton: Voted for Immigration Reform Act of 2006.

·         John Edwards: Favors path to citizenship for some undocumented immigrants and border fence in some areas.

·         Dennis Kucinich: Favors legal status for "hard-working, tax-paying undocumented workers."