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IowaPolitics.com: Romney Touts Strong Stance On Illegal Immigration
3/22/2007

By Chris Dorsey
IowaPolitics.com

COUNCIL BLUFFS -- It is time for American leaders to seriously address the nation's immigration laws, Mitt Romney told a crowd of more than 250 today in Council Bluffs.

They do not make sense because foreign students are allowed into the country to earn doctorates and master's degrees only to be expected to leave once their schooling is completed, Romney said. On the flip side, people are entering the country illegally and finding employment.

"Our immigration laws are upside down," said Romney, adding the laws should promote the "best and the brightest" to stay in the country to make it a stronger America and not be asked to leave.

Illegal immigration is a topic many presidential candidates are addressing along the campaign trail. It ranks among the most pressing issues for Joyce Farrington of Council Bluffs and Bill Carpenter of Omaha.

"He is very articulate," Farrington said. "He is strong on immigration. I believe everyone should earn citizenship through the process like our ancestors."

Romney told reporters after the luncheon that he supports legal immigration, but cannot back a plan to offer a free pass to give citizenship to those who enter the U.S. illegally.

"There should be no special advantage to those who are here illegally," Romney said. "We need to make illegal immigration a thing of the past. I love legal immigration. I welcome legal immigration."

Carpenter sees the issue taking a financial toll on the U.S. if it is not addressed by federal officials, which is why he attend Thursday's event to hear the governor's stance.

"It is an important issue," he said. "If we don't do something it will bankrupt this country."

Former Sen. Jim Talent, R-Mo., traveled with Romney in Iowa Thursday, including a stop in Onawa for an afternoon caucus coffee.

Though Talent, who spent 12 years in Congress, said he has the utmost respect for former Senate colleagues like John McCain and Sam Brownback who are seeking the presidency, he said it was Romney's passion to empower the people and his record as governor that earned his endorsement.

"He is a person with great heart and great intelligence," Talent said. "Mitt Romney believes in empowering people, not government."

Romney is also very electable, Talent said.
Listen To Audio of Romney in Council Bluffs


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