Immigration debate key issue in presidential campaigns

Illegal immigration is one of the most polarizing issues in American politics. But people on each side of the issue agree about one thing: The current situation, with millions of undocumented immigrants working at factories, farms, restaurants and construction sites, needs to change.

More than 44.3 million Hispanics live in the country and are the largest minority group, making up 14 percent of the population. National and local organizations have been staging campaigns to get eligible permanent residents to apply for U.S. citizenship and register to vote.

Last week, the League of United Latin American Citizens announced that more than 1 million had applied for citizenship in 2007 as a result of the Ya es Hora: Ciudadania! (Citizenship, It's Time!) nationwide campaign.