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Iowa Democratic Party: New Romney Radio Ad Lies to Iowans
8/21/2007

Contacts:
Carrie Giddins/Chris Allen
Phone: 515-244-7292

As Governor, He Did Nothing About “Sanctuary” Cities

Des Moines – Former Governor Mitt Romney unveiled a new radio ad in Iowa today highlighting his supposed crackdown on so-called “sanctuary” cities in Massachusetts. Unfortunately for Romney, his record is once again getting in the way of his rhetoric; he never did anything about the three sanctuary cities that operated in Massachusetts during his tenure.

In the radio ad, Romney’s campaign states: “Sanctuary cities become magnets that encourage illegal immigration and undermine secure borders. As Governor, Mitt Romney didn't wait on Washington. He acted to make our immigration laws work.”

However, according to the Boston Globe, “As governor, Romney never directly addressed the issue of sanctuary cities.” Three weeks before he left office, Mitt Romney proposed a new initiative to deal with the cities, but his plan was “largely ridiculed as grandstanding” and was never implemented.

“Mitt Romney’s newest ad is a blatant attempt to appeal to the far right wing of the Republican Party by distorting his own record,” said Carrie Giddins, Iowa Democratic Party Communications Director. “Romney can make all the claims he wants about cracking down on illegal immigration but, as Governor, he did nothing about his state’s three sanctuary cities and even hired undocumented workers to mow his lawn.”

Three Massachusetts Cities Declared Themselves “Sanctuary” Cities. “The Massachusetts cities of Cambridge, Somerville, and Orleans, which to varying degrees had declared themselves sanctuaries for illegal immigrants. Since 1985, Cambridge has instructed city officials not to involve themselves in enforcement of federal immigration laws.” [Boston Globe, 8/15/07]

“As governor, Romney never directly addressed the issue of sanctuary cities.” [Boston Globe, 8/15/07]

Romney’s Initiative to Deal with Sanctuary Cities Emerged 3 Weeks Before Leaving Office, Never Implemented. “Regarding sanctuary cities, [Romney spokesman Kevin] Madden said yesterday: ‘Governor Romney worked out an agreement with the federal government to deputize state troopers to enforce immigration laws in Massachusetts, in an effort to negate local sanctuary city policies and the lax enforcement of existing laws.’ … That state trooper initiative, signed by Romney three weeks before leaving office, was largely ridiculed as grandstanding by critics who said he was burnishing his conservative credentials for a presidential run. The troopers never underwent training by the federal government, and Governor Deval Patrick, the Democrat who succeeded him, rescinded the agreement a week after taking office.” [Boston Globe, 8/15/07]

Romney Caught Using Undocumented Workers At His Own Home. “A lawn service used for several years by Gov. Mitt Romney, who is considering a run for president, employed illegal immigrants to work on the grounds of his suburban home, according to a published report. The Boston Globe said it interviewed in Spanish four current and former employees of Community Lawn Service with a Heart, and all but one who said they had worked on Romney’s property said they were in the country illegally. The employees told the newspaper the company’s owner, Ricardo Saenz, never asked them to show documents on their immigration status, which is required by federal law.” [Boston Globe, 12/1/06]

Script For Romney "Exceptional" Radio Ad:

ANNOUNCER: "Immigration laws don't work if they're ignored. That's the problem with cities like Newark, San Francisco and New York City that adopt sanctuary policies. Sanctuary cities become magnets that encourage illegal immigration and undermine secure borders. As Governor, Mitt Romney didn't wait on Washington. He acted to make our immigration laws work. Mitt Romney is the exceptional Governor who took a stand so State Police could enforce federal immigration laws. Mitt Romney said 'No' to drivers' licenses for those here illegally. Mitt Romney insisted on teaching our kids in English. And as President, Mitt Romney will cut back federal funds to cities that provide sanctuary to illegal immigrants."

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY: "Legal immigration is great. But illegal immigration, that we've got to end. And amnesty is not the way to do it."

ANNOUNCER: "Mitt Romney – an exceptional leader for exceptional new challenges."

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY: "I'm Mitt Romney and I approved this message."

ANNOUNCER: "Paid for by Romney for President, MittRomney.com."


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