The presidential campaign of former Gov. Mitt Romney, R-Mass., issued the
following news bulletin:
FACT: As Governor Of Massachusetts, Governor Romney Took Action To Enforce
Immigration Laws.
ENFORCEMENT: In December 2006, Governor Romney Signed A Memorandum Of
Agreement With The Federal Government To Allow State Troopers To Enforce Federal
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)
IN-STATE TUITION: 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)
ENGLISH IMMERSION: Governor Romney Fought Efforts To Weaken Massachusetts'
English Immersion Law. "But yesterday, Romney press secretary Shawn Feddeman
said the governor will fight all attempts to slow the implementation of English
immersion, known on the ballot as Question 2. ... 'He will veto anything that
weakens or delays English immersion,' Feddeman said." (Anand Vaishnav, "Romney
Firm On English Timetable," The Boston Globe, 1/24/03)
- In June 2002, Mitt Romney Said "The Approach Of English Immersion Is One
That I Support. ... I Would Make English Immersion The Educational Norm For All
Non-Native English Speakers." (John McElhenny, "Mitt Romney Endorses 'English
Immersion' Education Plan," The Associated Press, 6/4/02)
DRIVER'S LICENCES: Governor Romney Opposed Efforts To Give Driver's 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)
FACT: Governor Romney Would Take Action To Secure The Borders Through
Physical And Virtual Fences.
Governor Romney: "In my view, there are several principles that need to be
part of our immigration plan. First, to secure the border..." (Governor Mitt
Romney, Interview On The Northern Alliance Radio Network, 1/27/07)
Governor Romney: "You've got to have a wall or fence or electronic
surveillance. You have got to make sure we secure our border, that's first."
(Fox News' "The O'Reilly Factor," 9/19/06)
FACT: Governor Romney Supports Strong Reforms To Stop Illegal Immigration And
Encourage Legal Immigration.
Governor Romney: "The current system puts up a concrete wall to the best and
brightest, yet those without skill or education are able to walk across the
border. We must reform the current immigration laws so we can secure our
borders, implement a mandatory biometrically-enabled and tamper-proof
documentation and employment-verification system, and increase legal immigration
into America." (David Yepsen, Op-Ed, "So Far, Romney's Been Most Impressive
Republican," Des Moines Register, 7/11/06)
FACT: Governor Romney Opposes The McCain-Kennedy Bill And Any Form Of Amnesty
For Illegal Immigrants.
Governor Romney: "McCain-Kennedy Isn't The Answer." "Another aspect of
American sovereignty is the security of our borders. The current system is a
virtual concrete wall against those who have skill and education, but it's a
wide-open walk across the border for those that have neither. McCain-Kennedy
isn't the answer. As governor, I took a very different approach. I authorized
our state police to enforce federal immigration laws." (Governor Mitt Romney,
Remarks At The Conservative Political Action Conference, Washington, D.C.,
3/2/07)
FACT: Governor Romney Supports A Strong Employer-Verification System That
Includes A Tamper Proof Worker Verification Card.
Governor Romney: "First, to secure the border, number two, have an employment
verification system. This would be a card - a biometric card - that people who
are not citizens would have and before an employer hires a non citizen they
would have to look at the card, type in a number on a computer, and get
verification from the federal government that this person is eligible for work
in the U.S. If they hired someone not so eligible that company would be fined
just like not paying taxes." (Governor Mitt Romney, Interview On The Northern
Alliance Radio Network, 1/27/07)
FACT: Governor Romney Supports Empowering Local And State Authorities To
Enforce Federal Immigration Laws.
Governor Romney Believes More State And Local Police Agencies Should Work
With The Federal Government To Enforce Immigration Laws. "Republican
presidential hopeful Mitt Romney said Tuesday that more state and local police
agencies ought to consider making deals with the federal government to have
their officers trained in enforcing elements of federal immigration law. ... 'I
think it's a good idea for us to communicate that we intend to enforce our
laws,' Romney said." (Jacques Billeaud, "Romney: More State, Local Police Should
Get Immigration Training," The Associated Press, 3/13/07)