Thread: Out of bounds: Romney overstates efforts on illegal immigran

Out of bounds:
Romney overstates efforts on illegal immigrants


By DAVID LIGHTMAN
McClatchy Newspapers
Throw the flag against: Mitt Romney

Video of Romney discussing his immigration record
Call: False start.

What happened: Romney bragged Wednesday morning about his efforts to crack down on illegal immigrants while he was the governor of Massachusetts from 2003 through last January. Among his claims in an interview on MSNBC: "I also empowered our State Police to enforce federal laws."

Why that's out of bounds: Technically, Romney is correct. He did give state troopers the power to arrest illegal aliens on immigration charges - but not until Dec. 13, 2006, about three weeks before he left office. His spokesmen argue that he realized only in the summer of 2006 that such authority was available, and it took time to get everything in place.

A few days after taking office last January, Gov. Deval Patrick rescinded the order, saying that state troopers were busy enough without having to enforce federal laws as well.

Romney failed to explain that his action had no impact on the state's illegal immigrant population. No one was arrested under his edict; Patrick told a news conference last January that the troopers hadn't even started their training sessions.

Penalty: Penalize Romney's credibility 5 yards for overstating the facts.

Romney discussing his immigration record on MSNBC's "Morning Joe":

Romney's not perfect, but he's MUCH better on this than Giuliani and Huckabee! (and I know, I know; I like Hunter, Tancredo too, but they're probably not going to win). And Romney also says on this website (not listed in the press release below): "Reject Amnesty: Do not give amnesty or any special pathway to those who have come to this country illegally."

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Press Releases
The Romney Record: Immigration

Friday, May 18, 2007
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)

http://www.mittromney.com/News/Press-Re ... mmigration

- In June 2006, Governor Romney Announced That He Would Seek A 287G Agreement With The Federal Government. "Days after Attorney General Tom Reilly reaffirmed his promise not to hunt down companies that hire illegal immigrants, Gov. Mitt Romney has decided to take matters into his own hands. Romney, who is considering a run for president in 2008, has asked his legal counsel to explore the possibility of entering into an agreement with the federal government that would authorize state troopers to arrest illegal immigrants, said spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom yesterday. " (Rebecca Fater, "Romney: State Troopers Should Have Power To Arrest Illegal Immigrants," Lowell Sun, 6/22/06)

More here (dated Nov. 14, 2007):
The Romney Record: A Record Of Enforcing Our Immigration Laws

http://www.mittromney.com/News/Press-Re ... ation_Laws

A few days after taking office last January, Gov. Deval Patrick rescinded the order, saying that state troopers were busy enough without having to enforce federal laws as well.

Governor Romney tried.

Isn't interstate transportation, counterfeitied money, kidnapping across state lines, FBI's most wanted, etc. federal laws states enforce? Local law enforcement agencies have their hands out for federally funded drug program money. Many local police and fire departments got grants and equipment from federal Homeland Security.

The law is the law is the law period. Selective law enforcement defeats the purpose of law enforcement.

“Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.â€

Isn't he a member of the CFR?

Populist
where was that hidding
I was hunting and couldnt dig it up

From what I've heard, Romney authorized the state police to arrest illegals but with so much government red tape, he finally got his wish three weeks before he left office. It wasn't Romney who draged his feet, it was the pro-illegal alien lobby in Massachussets who draged the state police's feet.

Originally Posted by agrneydgrl

Isn't he a member of the CFR?

What does that have to do with this ?

Originally Posted by GREGAGREATAMERICAN

Populist
where was that hidding
I was hunting and couldnt dig it up

Greg, I found these with basic keyword searches on Google.

And I believe LawEnforcer is right; I heard Romney say it was the govt that dragged its feet for months. Ok, maybe he could have done it earlier, but the fact is Romney DID authorize this, veto drivers licenses for illegals, supports enforcement of laws and no pathways for illegals etc.

Bottom line: Romney would be much better than Giuliani or Huckabee (both of whom still openly support amnesty schemes unlike Romney).

Originally Posted by Populist

Originally Posted by GREGAGREATAMERICAN

Populist
where was that hidding
I was hunting and couldnt dig it up

Greg, I found these with basic keyword searches on Google.

And I believe LawEnforcer is right; I heard Romney say it was the govt that dragged its feet for months. Ok, maybe he could have done it earlier, but the fact is Romney DID authorize this, veto drivers licenses for illegals, supports enforcement of laws and no pathways for illegals etc.

Bottom line: Romney would be much better than Giuliani or Huckabee (both of whom still openly support amnesty schemes unlike Romney).

I sorry i thought it was one paper not a group of...
That may be Good news for our side
I want to watch closely on all the other issues…
Seems good so far