This may be a replay of the 2008 election. Illegal immigration was a big issue with the American people then as now, and all McCain had to do to win was to run with it. He never mentioned it.
No, Juan's primary campaign was dead due to his extreme pro-amnesty position. Then he changed and began the "secure the border first" ruse, and that enabled him to revive his campaign.
He seldom mentioned it in the general election, but he had to lie about his intent to secure the border to have a chance in the primaries. He used the same lie again in his 2010 reelection campaign against J. D. Hayworth.