Civil Liberties

In December 2005, Obama voted against extending the wiretap provisions of the USA Patriot Act, although he voted to renew the act itself in March 2006. 

Obama strongly favors closing the detention camp at Guantanamo Bay, and has repeatedly expressed his opposition to torture, stating that "America cannot sanction torture. It's a very straightforward principle, and one that we should abide by. Now, I will do whatever it takes to keep America safe. And there are going to be all sorts of hypotheticals and emergency situations and I will make that judgment at that time. But what we cannot do is have the president of the United States state, as a matter of policy, that there is a loophole or an exception where we would sanction torture. I think that diminishes us and it sends the wrong message to the world."

Transcript of Democratic Presidential Debate, August 26, 2007

Immigration

On March 7, 2007, Obama, together with, Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), introduced the Citizenship Promotion Act into the U.S. Senate.  This act seeks to ensure that immigration application fees are both reasonable and fair. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services had decided to raise fees on applications to as much as $2,400 for a family of four. Obama's bill reverses large fee increases for legal immigrants seeking to become citizens and provides grants to states to help promote citizenship.  Many law-abiding legal immigrants see their applications delayed for years while the F.B.I. conducts background investigations. Obama introduced legislation to make such investigations smoother and quicker. 

In May 2006, Obama voted to establish a Guest Worker program for immigrants, and to create a path through which the workers in the program could achieve citizenship.  Obama also supports improving visa programs, particularly the H-1 B program, in order to attract talented individuals from around the world to America.  At the same time, he has expressed support for the building of a fence on the U.S.-Mexican border to stem illegal immigration. 

Obama’08 campaign website

Iran

Obama has stated that if elected president, he would seek to build a new relationship with Iran as part of his efforts to stabilize Iraq.  

Obama believes that Iran has acted "irresponsibly" in supporting Shiite militia organizations in Iraq, and has expressed concern over the Iranian government's support of "terrorist activities" as well as its nuclear program.  He has maintained that he would promise not to seek a "regime change" if Iran agreed to cease interfering in Iraq as well as cooperate on terrorism and nuclear issues.  Obama has also said that "changes in behavior" by Iran should be met with reciprocations by the United States, including possible membership in the World Trade Organization.

"We are willing to talk about certain assurances in the context of them showing some good faith," Obama said in an interview. "I think it is important for us to send a signal that we are not hell bent on regime change, just for the sake of regime change, but expect changes in behavior. And there are both carrots and are sticks available to them for those changes in behavior."

Obama remains very skeptical of the Bush administration on Iran.  "The juxtaposition of this N.I.E. with the president's suggestion of World War III serves as an important reminder of what we learned with the 2002 National Intelligence Estimate on Iraq," he said.  "Members of Congress must carefully read the intelligence before giving the president any justification to use military force."

Obama Envisions New Iran Approach, New York Times, November 2, 2007

Candidates Hold to Their Stances on Iran, New York Times, December 4, 2007

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