Seeking Hispanic votes

        As the primary in January 31 is nearing, many of the republican candidates are shifting their attention to the Hispanic voters in Miami. Even though Rick Romney’s hard line on immigration may appear to cause him to have a disadvantage, he has already had endorsements from Hispanic-Republican leaders in Florida that can help him get support from the Hispanic voters.  Although, his stance on immigration may hurt him especially with his plans to build a fence along the Southwest border and declaring to veto the DREAM ACT. In comparison, Perry has supported lower in-state tuition rates at universities in Texas for illegal immigrants. Gingrich has also stated that illegal immigrants that have worked, paid taxes, and made families in the US should be permitted to stay. Romney, however, still has an advantage because Hispanic Republicans tend to support Romney like many elderly Cuban-Americans who are voting by absentee ballot.

"Our main concern is not immigration, it's job creation and making sure the country is safe," said Nancy Acevedo of Winter Springs, chairwoman of the National Republican Hispanic Alliance, who backs Perry but also likes Romney. "There is huge support for Mitt Romney because people know him. He has been here before, and it makes a difference when people can put a name and a face together."

       Obama, who is already preparing for his re-election campaign, has been attracting Hispanic leaders and revising rules to make it easier for family members of US citizens to avoid deportation and work legally in the United States. These new rules will save illegal immigrant relatives from having to return to their native country while trying to get permission to enter again on grounds of family hardship. The immigration issue is important in Florida since the state has the third largest number of illegal immigrant residents in the US with an estimate of 825,000.

       The majority of Hispanics in Florida are Puerto Ricans and Cuban Americans who are either citizens or legal residents. Many of these voters are not affected much with the immigration debate and some are even resentful of those who enter illegally. Although, polls demonstrate that they tend to favor proposals that will provide a citizenship path for illegal immigrants.

I  personally think that the fight over the immigration issue will be bigger in the general-election campaign, when whoever wins the republican nomination will face against President Obama.

Will Obama stand on immigration get the support he needs from the Hispanic voters? How much do you think the immigration issue will affect the republican candidates in Florida? Who do you think is likely to win the January 31 primary?