During the March 14 edition of Lou Dobbs Tonight, CNN correspondent Louise Schiavone reported that "[i]f either Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton captures the presidency, the budget votes they cast this week could signal a White House agenda that would ease pressure against illegal immigrants." She further reported that "[b]oth Senate Democrats voted to essentially kill a proposal barring federal funds for cities giving sanctuary to illegal aliens. They said no to additional funding for border security, immigration enforcement, and deportation of criminal aliens, and no to a proposal directing federal dollars to English classes for non-English speaking workers." Following Schiavone's report, host Lou Dobbs said, “Senators Obama and Clinton are making it very clear where they stand: not for border security, for open borders, and for amnesty.” However, a review of the votes cast last week by Obama and Clinton shows that Schiavone's claim that "[t]hey said no to additional funding for border security, immigration enforcement, and deportation of criminal aliens" is false. Further, Dobbs' claim that Obama and Clinton stand “not for border security, for open borders” is false.

Schiavone claimed Obama and Clinton “said no to additional funding for border security, immigration enforcement, and deportation of criminal aliens,” presumably referring to their votes against an amendment to the budget resolution (SA 4231) sponsored by Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL). The amendment would include in the budget a provision allowing Congress to appropriate funds to “complete 700 miles of pedestrian fencing”; “deploy up to 6,000 National Guard members to the Southern border of the country”; “evaluate the 27 percent of the Federal, State and local prison populations who are noncitizens in order to identify removable criminal aliens”; and “expand the zero tolerance prosecution policy for illegal entry (commonly known as 'Operation Streamline') to all 20 border sectors.” However, neither Schiavone nor Dobbs noted that both Obama and Clinton voted in favor of an amendment (SA 4259) sponsored by Robert Menendez (D-NJ), which would include in the budget a provision allowing Congress to appropriate funds to “provide for increased border security, enforcement of immigration laws, greater staff, and immigration reform measures.” The amendment would also “increase criminal and civil penalties against employers who hire undocumented immigrants,” and would call for “evaluat[ing] the Federal, State, and local prison populations that are noncitizens in order to identify removable criminal aliens.” Also, the Menendez amendment would “deploy an appropriate number of National Guard troops to the southern or northern border of the United States,” provided that the “Secretary of Defense certifies that the deployment would not negatively impact the safety of American forces in Iraq and Afghanistan” or that the “Governor of the National Guard's home State certifies that the deployment would not have a negative impact on the safety and security of that State.”

Also contrary to Dobbs' claim that Obama and Clinton are “not for border security,” both candidates have stressed the need for more secure borders. For example, at the February 21 Democratic presidential debate in Austin, Texas, Clinton stated: “We need comprehensive immigration reform. I have been for this. I signed onto the first comprehensive bill back in 2004. I've been advocating for it. Tougher, more secure borders, of course. But let's do it the right way: cracking down on employers, especially once we get to comprehensive immigration reform, who exploit undocumented workers and drive down wages for everyone else.” Obama said: "[W]e need comprehensive reform, and that means stronger border security. It means that we are cracking down on employers that are taking advantage of undocumented workers because they can't complain if they're not paid a minimum wage, they can't complain if they're not getting overtime."

From the March 14 edition of CNN's Lou Dobbs Tonight:

DOBBS: There are clear indications tonight that amnesty for illegal aliens could have the support of our next president. Two of the three candidates, Senators Obama and Clinton, have aligned themselves with pro-amnesty forces in the Senate and those forces in the votes yesterday.

The third, Senator John McCain, he left town before the votes, leaving his intentions in question but his record, quite clear.

Louise Schiavone has our report.

[begin video clip]

SCHIAVONE: If either Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton captures the presidency, the budget votes they cast this week could signal a White House agenda that would ease pressure against illegal immigrants.

ROY BECK (NumbersUSA): Clinton, Obama are voting to make sure that anybody who provides rewards or safe harbor to illegal aliens is protected. The Clinton/Obama policy is rewards for illegal immigration, try not to enforce the law.

SCHIAVONE: Both Senate Democrats voted to essentially kill a proposal barring federal funds for cities giving sanctuary to illegal aliens. They said no to additional funding for border security, immigration enforcement, and deportation of criminal aliens, and no to a proposal directing federal dollars to English classes for non-English speaking workers.

BRIAN DARLING (Heritage Foundation): This is a pitted battle, and these are proxy wars. All these votes are proxy wars on what's going to happen in the future on comprehensive immigration reform.

SCHIAVONE: Missing from all the immigration votes, Republican John McCain, who left town for a fundraiser.

STEVE CAMAROTA (Center for Immigration Studies): You would think this would be an easy chance for McCain to demonstrate what he's claimed, is that he gets it, he wants enforcement, and he doesn't even show up to vote.

[end video clip]

SCHIAVONE: Lou, analysts say the votes all cast on a non-binding budget resolution show just how tough it will be in this pre-election congressional session to get anything done on immigration reform.

DOBBS: Well, as you say, but on the other side of it, is that Senators Obama and Clinton are making it very clear where they stand: not for border security, for open borders, and for amnesty. And if everyone -- I mean, let's all be very clear about it. That's where they are. And Senator McCain, with an opportunity to demonstrate his statements that he gets it, that it will be border security first, and that he has recanted his amnesty legislation that he co-sponsored with Senator [Ted] Kennedy 2 1/2 years ago. That looks suspect, doesn't it?

SCHIAVONE: That's the most striking thing about it to me. Because Obama and Clinton, they voted the way they're always going to vote. But McCain, he just seems to be at sea at this point or at least can't go on record on what he actually thinks of the issue at this point.