Kerry makes push for Hispanic, black votes
Speaking in Phoenix to an Hispanic advocacy group, Kerry pledged, if elected, to allow undocumented workers apply for citizenship if they have paid taxes for five years and have no criminal record.
In Chicago earlier at a conference of Jesse Jackson's Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, the Massachusetts senator promised $10 billion to help states defray education costs contingent on state universities keeping tuition increases to no more than the rate of inflation.
The events were aimed at winning America's two biggest minority voting blocs in November.
Blacks have been a loyal Democratic constituency, but Kerry has been criticised for having too few minority members in his inner circle.
He also faces competition for the growing Hispanic vote. President George W Bush won 35% of Hispanic support in 2000 against Al Gore.
"Today, despite all the promises, our immigration system is broken," Kerry said in Phoenix as he was endorsed by the US Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
"It is time to fulfil the promise of America, so that those who work hard and take responsibility ... and live by the rules and pay their taxes and raise their children have a right to share in America and in citizenship," he said.
He also promised to clear an immigration backlog that has left some families separated and to give temporary workers visas.
Kerry hopes Hispanics will help him win four states Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada and Colorado. He is also hoping for a win in Florida, which has a large Latino voting bloc.
In Chicago, Kerry said access to higher education was a progression of the civil rights movement.
"We are all deserving of an equal shot at the American dream," he said.
He bashed Bush's record on employment and painted him as a "reverse Robin Hood" who rewards the rich at the expense of the poor.
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