The presidential campaign of former Gov. Mitt Romney, R-Mass., issued
the following news release:
In August 2007, Governor Romney Proposed Cutting Back Federal Funds
From Cities That Ignore Federal Immigration Laws:
Governor Romney Says Cities That Refuse To Comply With Federal
Immigration Laws Should Not Receive Some Federal Funds. "'There are some
cities in this country that have said, we're calling ourselves a sanctuary
city, we're going to call ourselves a city where our city employees will
not look into someone's illegal status, will not notify the federal
government that someone's here illegally,' Romney told more than 100
central Iowans in Urbandale this morning. 'We send hundreds of millions of
dollars to these cities, even billions of dollars, from the federal
government,' the former Massachusetts governor said during a
question-and-answer session at the Iowa Machine Shed restaurant. 'We ought
to stop doing that.'" (Thomas Beaumont, "Romney: Cut Aid Of Illegal
Immigrant Havens," Des Moines Register, 8/2/07)
- Governor Romney "Would Move To Deny Some Federal Money To Cities
Which Declare Themselves 'Sanctuaries' For Illegal Immigrants." "In answer
to a question about immigration, Romney said as president he would move to
deny some federal money to cities which declare themselves 'sanctuaries'
for illegal immigrants. Romney told the crowd that 'irks' him. 'We send
hundreds of millions of dollars to these cities - even billions of dollars
- from the federal government,' Romney said. 'We ought to stop doing
that.'" (O.Kay Henderson, "Romney 'Disappointed' By Ethical Lapses," Radio
Iowa, 8/2/07)
Governor Romney: It "Is Simply Wrong" For Sanctuary Cities To Ignore
The Law. "Romney received loud applause when he blasted cities that openly
proclaim they will not pursue deportation of illegal immigrants. He said
such 'sanctuary cities' ignore the law. 'That is simply wrong. We?ve got
to stop that,' he said. He added that he sees a clear distinction between
legal and illegal immigration and rejected calls to close the border."
(Matt Milner, "Romney Fires At Democrat Rivals," Ottumwa Courier,
7/28/07)
Unlike Other Republican Candidates, Governor Romney Does Not Support
Sanctuary City Policies And Opposes Amnesty. GOVERNOR ROMNEY: "But at the
same time, New York City was a sanctuary city. The mayor said, 'Look, if
you happen to be illegal, we want you in New York City.' That's exactly
the wrong kind of message to send in my view. And I think we ought to cut
off some funding - federal funding to cities that call themselves
sanctuary cities, that welcome people into their cities who are illegal
and who provide benefits to individuals - other than, of course, emergency
health care and education." (Fox News' "Fox & Friends," 8/9/07)
FACT: In Massachusetts, Governor Romney Took Action To Combat Illegal
Immigration:
In December 2006, Governor Romney Signed A Memorandum Of Agreement With
The Federal Government Deputizing State Troopers To Enforce Immigration
Laws. "Governor Mitt Romney and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
(ICE) Assistant Secretary Julie L. Myers today announced the signing of a
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
and ICE, which will give specially trained Massachusetts State Troopers
the authority to administer and enforce federal immigration laws in the
Commonwealth." (Office Of The Governor, "Governor Romney, ICE Sign
Immigration Enforcement Pact," Press Release, 12/13/06)
Governor Romney Vetoed In-State Tuition For Illegal Immigrants. "Romney
also vetoed a number of outside sections of the budget, including: ... A
plan that would have permitted illegal aliens to pay the same in-state
tuition rate at our public colleges and universities as Massachusetts
citizens." (Office Of The Governor, "Romney Signs $22.402B Fiscal Year
2005 'No New Tax' Budget," Press Release, 6/25/04)
- Governor Romney: In-State Tuition For Illegal Immigrants "Would Be A
Mistake" Conflicting With Federal Law. "Mr. Romney said he was not
prepared to provide 'special benefits' to illegal immigrants in the state.
'Our desire is to help legal immigrants,' he said. 'I do not believe that,
out of respect for the law, that we can provide special benefits to
illegal immigrants. We have a responsibility to uphold the law, and
providing special benefits to those who are here in contravention of the
national law, in my view, would be a mistake.'" (John J. Monahan,
"Immigrant Tuition Bill Defeated," Telegram & Gazette, 1/12/06)
Governor Romney Opposed The Issuance Of Drivers' Licenses To Illegal
Immigrants. "'Those who are here illegally should not receive tacit
support from our government that gives an indication of legitimacy,' the
governor said, echoing arguments that opponents have voiced in the
Commonwealth and in other states considering similar license measures. 'If
they are here illegally, they should not get driver's licenses,' he said."
(Scott S. Greenberger, "Romney Stand Dims Chances Of License For
Undocumented," The Boston Globe, 10/28/03)
Strategy For A Stronger America: Enforcing Our Immigration Laws:
- Read The Strategy For A Stronger America On Enforcing Immigration
Laws: www.mittromney.com/img/pdf/SSA
- Listen To Gov. Romney's Radio Ad, "Exceptional" On His Plan To End
Sanctuary City Policies: www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoTyYgB01Bc
- Watch Gov. Romney Discuss Sanctuary Cities On Fox News' "The O'Reilly
Factor": www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhGBHXWxsFk
- Watch Gov. Romney Discuss Sanctuary Cities On Fox News' "Fox &
Friends": www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BnOPpQnHFc
- Read Representative Lamar Smith's Op-Ed on Sanctuary Cities And Governor Romney's Record