I think Mitt is jumping on the immigration law enforcement band wagon just to garner votes. I do not recall him being for enforcing the laws before becoming a pres candidate.
That said: Rudy gave specific instructions to his police NOT to report illegals to ICE. This is one of his biggest mistakes in that it helped the terrorists of 9/11 carry out their WTC destruction.
Rudy helped cause 9/11 by his illegal coddling yet he paints himself as a hero of the day. What a jerk. Mitt has him painted correctly here but of course Mitt is no better in that he is merely using the issue to get votes and doesn't actually believe what he is saying.
All the candidates have been hit with a blinding moment of truth: Illegals will cost them the votes if they(the candidates) support them. Spitzers license folly has made that plain, hence Mitt's sudden love for enforcing border laws.
Rudy says police were required to report illegals who committed crimes. Am pretty confused at this point!
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/1104sanctuarycities1104.html
Romney came down against illegals in Massachusetts long before they marched in our streets and it became all the rage to worry about illegal immigration.
Governor Romney opposed a bill that would have allowed illegal aliens to get driver’s licenses. "Those who are here illegally should not receive tacit support from our government that gives an indication of legitimacy," the governor said, echoing arguments that opponents have voiced in the Commonwealth and in other states considering similar license measures. "If they are here illegally, they should not get driver's licenses," he said. (Scott S. Greenberger, "Romney Stand Dims Chances Of License For Undocumented," The Boston Globe, 10/28/03)
Romney vetoed a bill in 2004 that would have permitted illegal aliens to pay the same in-state tuition rate paid by Massachusetts citizens at public colleges and universities in the state. (Office Of The Governor, "Romney Signs $22.402B Fiscal Year 2005 'No New Tax' Budget," Press Release, 6/25/04)
Romney arranged a federal and state agreement enabling Massachusetts State Troopers to investigate immigration status and arrest illegal aliens they encounter during the normal course of their duties. (Troopers would arrest immigrants, Boston Globe, 6/21/2006) • (Governor Romney, ICE Sign Immigration Enforcement Pact, 12/13/2006) • (Video: Maricopa County Sheriff Arpaio debates LULAC spokesman about MA pact with ICE)
Governor Romney fought efforts to weaken Massachusetts' English Immersion Law. "But yesterday, Romney press secretary Shawn Feddeman said the governor will fight all attempts to slow the implementation of English immersion, known on the ballot as Question 2. ...He will veto anything that weakens or delays English immersion, Feddeman said." (Anand Vaishnav, "Romney Firm On English Timetable," The Boston Globe, 1/24/03)
Governor Romney increased funding by nearly 30% ($8 million) in Fiscal Year 2006 for English as a Second Language, adult literacy and adult secondary education for legal immigrants residing in Massachusetts. The increase enabled statewide adult basic education programs to accommodate approximately 4,000 more students each year. (Romney Expands Adult Basic Education for Immigrants, January 28, 2005)
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio was named as Honorary Chair for the Romney for President campaign in Arizona. Sheriff Arpaio, better known as "America’s Toughest Sheriff", has gained a nationwide reputation for his tough stance on crime, illegal immigration and border security in the nation's fourth largest county. "I like him," Arpaio said of Mitt Romney. "He's a man of principle, of good character. He did a great job in Massachusetts and I feel he's going to make a great president."
"I'm sure the governor believes in my philosophy too," Arpaio said. "He sure would not be asking for my endorsement if he didn't believe in what I'm doing." (Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio Tells FOX News Why Mitt Romney Picked Him for Presidential Campaign, Fox News, Feb. 28, 2007)
Video: Sheriff Arpaio Explains Why He Endorses Mitt Romney For President, Fox News Video: Neil Cavuto Interviews Sheriff Arpaio About Mitt Romney Endorsement (McCain, Giuliani, Hunter, and Tancredo mentioned)Links to videos HERE & Romney Immigration Plan