Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin says she supports John McCain's position on immigration, including a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants.

It's the first time she's addressed the issue in depth, and her views are likely to shape her chances of leading the Republican Party should McCain fail to win the White House nect month.

She said she agrees with McCain, who fought most of his party in trying to legalize most illegal immigrants.

"John McCain has been so clear with his policy and it makes a lot of sense too. We secure our borders first.  But then with a comprehensive approach we must deal humanely with those who are here, and we must allow the steps to be taken to protect the families of those who are here, maybe as illegal immigrants today," she told Univision's "Al Punto" Sunday political talk show in an interview aired this weekend.

She said she doesn't support "amnesty" because those here illegally should be shuttled to the back of the line for services.

"Not total amnesty. You know, people have got to follow the rules.  They've got to follow the law, and we have got to make sure that there is equal opportunity and those who are here legally should be first in line for services being provided and those opportunities that this great country provides."

She also said she opposes driver's licenses for illegal immigrants and said she would not halt immigration raids. She said decisions on raids should be made "on a case-by-case basis to consider all the ramifications of each individual action."

— Stephen Dinan, national political correspondent, The Washington Times

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