The immigration discussion at the second presidential debate has led some observers to conclude that Mitt Romney has softened his position on immigration. Unfortunately, that is not the case, according to America’s Voice, and Congressman Luis Gutierrez.
According to Frank Sharry, Executive Director of America’s Voice, “Romney talks in code on immigration. Out of one side of his mouth come statements that try to portray his positions as reasonable, while out of the other side of his mouth he reaffirms his radical views. While some journalists have been fooled, Latino voters and anti-immigrant extremists are not. That’s why Romney is doing so poorly with Latinos, and why anti-immigrant advocates like Kris Kobach are sticking by his side.”
Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez:
Once again, Mitt Romney showed you can describe his immigration policy in two words: «get out.» Mitt Romney has no understanding of the importance of immigrants to our economy or appreciation for the need to keep families together. Mitt Romney was clear that 10 or 11 million immigrants will have to leave the country if he is elected, but the idea that so many millions of people will leave or be driven out of the U.S. is a fantasy. Mitt Romney’s views are dramatically out of touch with the common-sense policies that most Americans embrace when it comes to immigration. I urge every person who supports reasonable and fair policies that protect our borders, put people to work and keep families together to pay close attention to the extreme and unworkable views on immigration that Mitt Romney expresses again and again.
Eliseo Medina, SEIU International Secretary-Treasurer:
“What we do know about Romney is that he said he would snatch away the dreams of deserving young people by ending President Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program that protects undocumented immigrant youths from deportation. We know that Mitt Romney has promised to veto the DREAM Act. We heard him say that he would offer a pathway to citizenship for DREAMers only if they serve in the military — so that in his eyes, they are good enough to sacrifice their lives but not to earn legal status.
