From his recent statements, that is the position he is trying to portray. Gingrich is willing to let long time illegal residents stay under certain circumstances but Romney wants to deport everyone (or at least that is what he is saying).
Of course Romney is historically the most pro-illegal alien candidate of the remaining candidates, but not while he is trying to win the Republican nomination. Right now Romney is pretending to be Tom Tancredo. But that is what he does. He pretends.
Yes, Romney is actually the most pro-amnesty of all candidates yet in this race. He has to flip-flop to get this far in the process, so he has flip-flopped.
Perhaps Newt's strategy was to get Romney to react and claim not to be anti-illegal. That would, of course, open up Romney's record.
And that's why Rubio had to speak for him.
Yes, we know that Romney is historically pro-amnesty. We also know that he hires illegals, gives the company a stern talking to, and is surprised again a year later when he's still hiring illegals. (He doesn't check means he didn't care means he lies.)