Immigration issues play key role in US midterm elections

While the economy remains at center stage in the upcoming midterm elections, the overlapping issues surrounding immigration and the growing Latino population are crucial in southwestern border states -- where Latinos make up an increasingly powerful voting bloc.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, UNITED STATES, U.S. BORDER PATROL / DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY - While worries over the health of the U.S. economy is a focal point in the U.S. midterm elections, the complex issues of America's immigration policies may be the deciding factor for many voters, particularly those voters in southwestern border states.

Earlier this year, the immigration debate reached a boiling point in Arizona, when the state legislature passed a controversial law which authorized the police to detain any individual whom they suspect might possibly be an undocumented immigrant.

With an illegal immigrant population estimated at around 11 million, securing the frontier has become a centerpiece of U.S. President Barack Obama's domestic agenda. Recently, as part of his administration's pledge to security the border and to stem the encroachment of Mexico's drug trade, Obama deployed an additional 1,200 National Guard troops to the southwestern border.

In California, where the flow of undocumented, south-of-the-border immigrants impacts the state's approach to border security, crime, healthcare, education and jobs, the issue has become one which affects Californians as much as those of the economy.

"When they take jobs that are not being taxed properly, it puts us in debt," complained Tommy Douglas, a San Diego resident.

"I would like to see it closed, but I am not sure what to do with the people that are already here" said Bobbi Bettan, also of San Diego, who says her vote will be for those candidates who take a hard-line on immigration.

Milla Llauga, a Los Angeles resident, notes that undocumented immigrants have become tightly woven into the fabric of the state's economy, and so a movement toward anti-immigration reforms may spark unintended disruptions in the life of the state.

"We use them as we need them and then, when we feel we don't need them, then we don't want them here," Llauga said.

Latino immigrants are often a sizeable workforce in the area's hotels and restaurants, road construction crews, landscaping firms, and in child care services, and in many industries they fill those low wage, unskilled jobs that some Americans with deeper roots may shun.

That said, the Latino population in California accounts for more than 9 percent of the electorate, an increasingly powerful voting bloc in the state. Their votes are courted by candidates, especially in the highly competitive races for the U.S. Senate and state governor in California.

For Martin Sanchez, who works in the kitchen of an east Los Angeles lunch counter, the election is a chance for his voice to be heard.

"It is very important, since there are millions of Mexicans and immigrants from other countries," Sanchez said. "There are a lot of people that are here for a second chance and to achieve the 'American dream.'"

In the neighboring state of Nevada, the Latino bloc could hold the key to one of the west's top Senate races. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who is locked in a close race with conservative rival Sharron Angle, has become a big-fish target for Republicans seeking to assume control of the U.S. Congress.

One conservative group, the obliquely named Latinos for Reform, produced an campaign advertisement suggesting the Democrats broke their promises to Latino groups by failing to legislate a comprehensive immigration reform. The advertisement counsels that in this election, Latinos, who have historically voted on the Democratic side of the ballot, ought to express their displeasure by boycotting the vote -- an measure that could only help the Republican cause. The advertisement aired briefly on a Spanish-language television network and elsewhere, but was yanked by the network management which noted the duplicity of its message.

Political analysts say many close races in California and elsewhere in the southwestern states may depend on the Democrats ability to energize Hispanic voters, who turned out in heavy numbers to elect Barack Obama as president in 2008.

But anxiety over jobs losses and disappointment with immigration reform is causing some Latino political leaders to doubt whether their constituency will go to the poll as enthusiastically in this midterm election.

With the election days away, volunteers at the office of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor have been working the phones, trying to get reluctant Latino voters to vote.

"My vote is directly tied to my interest and the interest of my family and the community," said Mario Fuentes, a volunteer at the phone bank. "I believe in voting for the candidate who best represents my interest and my family and to remember for all Latinos that your vote is your voice."

"For us, it's important that Latinos vote," added Tony Brabio, a volunteer who has been electioneering door-to door in predominantly Latino neighborhoods to generate support for Democratic candidates.