Thread: Romney: 'Immigration laws are upside down'

Romney: 'Immigration laws are upside down'
By MAGGIE O'BRIEN
The Des Moines Register
Mar 22, 2007

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa - Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney proposed Thursday to offer foreign students attending U.S. colleges and universities the chance to remain legally in the country upon graduation.

The former Massachusetts governor, who spoke at an invitation-only luncheon in southwest Iowa, has criticized Democrats as well as Republican rivals for their views on immigration reform.

"Our immigration laws are upside down," Romney said. "It makes no sense at all that we have concrete borders with people who have skills and education, but we're wide open to people who have neither."

He has said he opposes a proposal from another Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain, that would grant some illegal immigrants citizenship.

"I don't think there should be a pathway to citizenship for people who are here illegally," Romney said.

Romney is widely credited with rescuing the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City from certain bankruptcy after taking over as president and chief executive. He served one term as Massachusetts governor - from 2002 until January this year - and announced his candidacy for president a month later.

He briefly attacked Democratic rivals and senators Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards, saying they lack the qualities necessary to lead in the White House. Edwards announced Thursday he will stay in the race despite learning his wife's breast cancer has reemerged.

Romney said he supports the current administration and U.S. troops in Iraq but acknowledged that mistakes have been made. He supports a gradual withdrawal of troops because "to leave abruptly now would cause confusion."


http://www.jconline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a ... 9/70322032

Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney proposed Thursday to offer foreign students attending U.S. colleges and universities the chance to remain legally in the country upon graduation.

He has said he opposes a proposal from another Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain, that would grant some illegal immigrants citizenship.

Aren't these 2 statements contradictory?