Romney criticizes immigration plan

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By Charlotte Eby | Wednesday, May 30, 2007 3:16 PM CDT | () comments

TODAY: (Updated 1:47 p.m.) DES MOINES — During a visit to Iowa Wednesday, GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney criticized the proposal before Congress that could give legal status to millions of immigrants currently in the country illegally.

In an interview with the Quad-City Times Des Moines Bureau, the former Massachusetts governor said illegal immigrants should not be given a “special pathway” to citizenship or permanent residency like the bill being considered.

“It is a substantial advantage that is given to those that are here illegally, and it is a form of amnesty, in my view,” Romney said.

Romney said he remains “steadfastly in favor” of allowing illegal immigrants to apply for residency and citizenship but said they should apply alongside others in the world rather than having an advantage.

Romney’s position puts him at odds with one of his rivals for the GOP presidential nomination, Sen. John McCain of Arizona. McCain is a leading sponsor of the immigration measure before the Senate and has rejected the idea that it amounts to amnesty for illegals.

The McCain campaign struck back at Romney’s criticisms, saying Romney previously supported a measure similar to the one pending in Congress.

“It is only appropriate Mitt Romney would attack legislation he previously defended,” McCain spokesman Danny Diaz said. “Rather than put forward a solution, Romney chooses to attack what he supported just over a year ago. As each day passes, it becomes more clear that the former Massachusetts governor will say and do anything in pursuit of the nomination.”

Although Iowa is located far from the country’s southern border, the immigration issue could play an important role with conservative voters attending Iowa’s first-in-the-nation caucuses.

Romney said he wants to find out how many illegal immigrants actually are in the country by having them register with the federal government.

“We’re not going to round up 12 million people and send them out of the country,” Romney said. “We are going to enforce our immigration laws, and that means that there will be times when people are deported.”

Immigration reform should include securing the country’s borders with a fence or other technology, said Romney, who also wants to see a verification system for employers so they can determine if workers are in the country illegally.

Romney touted his record as a governor supporting policies against illegal immigration. He vetoed a bill that would have given a college tuition break to people in the state illegally and deputized the state police to enforce immigration laws.

“I have been consistent in my record of not wanting to encourage illegal immigration, and that posture hasn’t changed,” Romney said.

Charlotte Eby can be reached at (515) 243-0138 or chareby@aol.com.