Romney Ad Returns to Immigration Debate
November 8, 2007
By PHILIP ELLIOTT – 1 hour ago

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney began airing a TV ad Thursday in New Hampshire and Iowa touting his opposition to illegal immigration.

The ad, titled "Change Immigration," highlights Romney's plan to secure the border, cut funding for so-called "sanctuary cities" and oppose amnesty for illegal immigrants. It taps into Republican voters' frustration with Washington's failure to deal with the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in the country.

"We all know Hillary Clinton and the Democrats have it wrong on illegal immigration," Romney says, repeating his frequent criticism of the New York senator and Democratic front-runner. "Our party should not make that mistake."

Romney was expected to discuss immigration policy during campaign appearances in the state on Friday and Saturday.

"As Governor, I authorized the state police to enforce immigration laws. I opposed driver's licenses and in-state tuition for illegal aliens," Romney says in the ads. "As President, I'll oppose amnesty, cut funding for sanctuary cities and secure our borders."

Romney referred to "sanctuary cities" in an earlier radio ad aimed at rival Rudy Giuliani. As mayor, Giuliani promoted New York City as a haven for illegal immigrants, instructing police and other governmental agencies not to inquire about a person's immigration status when providing city services.

Romney has pledged to cut federal funds to cities that adopt similar policies and ignore federal immigration laws. The ad also says Romney, as governor of Massachusetts, ordered state police to enforce immigration laws, opposed driver's licenses for illegal immigrants and insisted children be taught English.

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