The leader of the U.S. opposition Democratic party says he believes the Republicans are going to make illegal immigration an issue in the 2006 midterm elections.
Howard Dean spoke Saturday in Phoenix, Arizona at a Democratic National Committee meeting, where he criticized President Bush's approach to the issue.
A spokesman for the Republican National Committee, Tucker Bounds, responded by saying the Democrats are out of touch with voters on border security.
President Bush this past week addressed the issue of illegal immigration. Mr. Bush said that while immigrants are important to the United States, the country must control its borders and enforce immigration law.
Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.