Republicans face Hispanic viewers

US Republican presidential hopefuls tackled the thorny issue of immigration as they took part in a debate on the main US Spanish-language TV network.

The seven candidates stuck with a firm line on tackling illegal immigration, calling for strict border controls.

But in front of an Hispanic audience, the tone was less strident than before.

The nominating race begins in less than a month in Iowa. Florida, a key state with a large Hispanic electorate, holds its primary election on 29 January.

The Republican debate, held at the University of Miami, followed the same format as one between Democrats held by the Univision network in September.

HISPANIC VOTERS 15% of US population 9% of 2008 electorate 6.5% likely to actually vote 57% of voters support or lean to Democrats 23% aligned with Republicans Sizeable share of electorate in states set to be closely contested - New Mexico, Florida, Nevada, Colorado Source: Pew Hispanic Center The Hispanic swing vote Join our voters' panel

Questions were translated for the candidates and their English answers were translated back into Spanish.

The issues covered were those of interest and importance to Hispanic voters, in particular immigration.

Correspondents say it was a challenge for Republicans to alienate neither their core base, which backs a tough stance on illegal immigration, nor Hispanic voters, who generally have more sympathy for immigrants.

A recent poll conducted by the Pew Hispanic Centre suggested that Hispanic registered voters favour Democrats over Republicans by 57% to 23%.

Low-key

Senator John McCain, who supported failed attempts by President George W Bush to overhaul immigration legislation, said the tone adopted by some in the Republican Party had alienated Latino voters.

Duncan Hunter stressed his ties to the Hispanic community

"I learned that Americans want the border secured first," he said. "That's what we'll do."

But the issue, he said, had to be addressed with compassion and love.

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and New York's former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who clashed over immigration during their previous debate, both adopted a more low-key tone.

"We're going to end illegal immigration to protect legal immigration," Mr Romney said.

"(Illegal immigration) is a situation where none of us have been perfect. All of us have been struggling with this for a long time," Mr Giuliani said.

He called for "tamper proof" identification cards for immigrants.

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee said illegal immigration helped to fuel the anger directed at immigrants generally.

"When we make the border secure, a lot of the sentiment goes away," he said.

Cuban ties

The candidates denounced Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Cuban leader Fidel Castro, with only Ron Paul a dissenting voice.

Univision's anchors also posed questions about Iraq

"He's not the easiest person to deal with," Mr Paul said of Venezuela's leader. "But we should deal with everybody around the world in the same way: with friendship and opportunity to talk and try to trade with people."

He also drew boos from the audience when he called for improved ties with Cuba.

All the candidates, except Sen McCain, had initially refused to attend the Univision debate, which was originally scheduled for September.

Tom Tancredo, well-known for his anti-immigration stance, was the only candidate to turn the network down a second time.

Hispanics are the largest minority group in the US. Estimates by the Pew Hispanic Center suggest they will make up only about 6.5% of those who actually turn out to vote next November.

Their importance lies in the fact that significant Hispanic electorates are found in key swing states, including Florida.