Romney Rips Rudy On Immigration

GOP Presidential Hopeful Says Rival Giuliani Turned NYC Into Sanctuary For Illegal Immigrants

(CBS/AP)  In a surprisingly strong attack, GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney said Republican rival Rudy Giuliani had turned New York City into a sanctuary for illegal immigrants during his two terms as mayor.

Immigration is a hot-button issue in the GOP and may play especially well in Iowa, an early battleground state where the federal government has raided meat processing plants employing illegals, and where some longtime residents feel their pay is being undercut by cheaper-working immigrants.

"If you look at lists compiled on Web sites of sanctuary cities, New York is at the top of the list when Mayor Giuliani was mayor," Romney said at while campaigning in Iowa. "He instructed city workers not to provide information to the federal government that would allow them to enforce the law. New York City was the poster child for sanctuary cities in the country."

Giuliani, also campaigning in Iowa, offered this response: "Frankly, that designation would not apply to New York City. What you got to look at in fairness to is the overall results — and no city in terms of crime, safety, dealing with illegality of all different kinds has done a better job than New York City."

For contrast, Romney has pointed to his own performance on immigration as the governor of Massachusetts. Romney deputized state police to enforce immigration laws and denied driver's licenses to illegal immigrants.

Romney's attack on Giuliani came just three days before the Iowa Straw Poll, a nonbinding beauty contest among the Republican presidential contenders.

In the days leading up it, Romney is airing a new television ad in the state in which he encourages supporters to attend the event, portrays himself as an outsider to Washington and takes swipes at both Republicans and Democrats on the immigration issue.

"Washington politicians in both parties have proven they can't control spending, and they won't control our borders," Romney says in the ad. "I will, but I need your help to do it."

Giuliani and Arizona Sen. John McCain are not participating in the straw poll.

[standlee5]

Mitt makes a good point. NYC was the first sanctuary city anarchy. And I thought Guiliani was tough on crime.

[prinzowhales]

As far as 'Hispanics' in the American West...there were a few thousand of them scattered from California to Texas and they were mostly Spaniards who had land grants from the King of Spain. In Texas they were 'Texicans' and fought alongside the Anglos against Santa Ana. Neither Mexico, nor Mexicans have a legitimate claim to the Southwest--any more than Lizzie II has any claim to the US, or that other inbred, Juan Carlos, King of Spain and King of Jerusalem, the royal who, with Guiliani the Mafiosi, wants to take over choice US highways that are already paid for by the taxpayers and charge tolls on them.

During the Dark Ages, villains with titles would stake out a river or a road and charge tolls for passage--which naturally gave them power to grant advantages to favored traders. Little difference between them and the Union Pacific and other roads during the age of the Robber Barons--shipping Rockefellar Oil at cut rate so that others couldn't compete with it.

[nottellin1]

As old confederate general Nathan Bedford Forest used to say (from my hoem state!)-- the one that gets there the fustest with the mustest wins - and our Hispanic friends whom we stole Texas and most of the Southwest from anyway are just returning home.
Posted by talkingham at 01:13 PM : Aug 09, 2007

FYI-After the Mexican American war the US paid Mexico 5 million dollars for the states that were Mexico. I wonder how much that 5 million is in today's dollars. Do you think Mexico would be willing to pay to have those states back? Oh, I forgot, Mex doesn't have to pay because the invasion is on already.

[klingon69]

As old confederate general Nathan Bedford Forest used to say (from my hoem state!)-- the one that gets there the fustest with the mustest wins - and our Hispanic friends whom we stole Texas and most of the Southwest from anyway are just returning home.
Texas was surrendered after the battle of San Jacinto, remember, the one where the great and glorious leader of the Mexicvan Peoples, Santa Anna tried to excape dressed as a peasant while leaving his soldiers to face the music for the slaughters at Goliad and The Alamo. We did not steal Texas from Mexico, anymore than we stole America from the English.

[notfredhed]

Rudy%u2019s retort is not just disingenuous, it is an outright lie.
The very definition of a Sanctuary City.
%u201CNew York City's policy toward undocumented immigrants is called "Executive Order 124."
%u201CThis order was issued seven years by Mayor Ed Koch and reissued by my predecessor, Mayor Dinkins, and by me.%u201D (emphasis mine)
"Executive Order 124" protects undocumented immigrants in New York City from being reported to the I.N.S. while they are using city services that are critical for their health and safety, and for the health and safety of the entire City.
There are times when undocumented immigrants must have a substantial degree of protection.%u201D

Monday, September 30, 1996
Archives of Rudy Giuliani
http://www.nyc.gov/html/records/rwg/html/96/immig.html

"If you come here and you work hard and you happen to be in an undocumented status, you're one of the people who we want in this city. You're somebody that we want to protect, and we want you to get out from under what is often a life of being like a fugitive, which is really unfair."
ABC News August 8, 2007
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=3459498&page=1

Whether or not you think illegal immigration is an important issue, whether or not you agree with Giuliani%u2019s reasons for keeping NYC a Sanctuary City, it is clear:
Rudy%u2019s retort to Romney%u2019s assertion is not just disingenuous, it is an outright lie. Have you not been lied to enough by politicians? I have.

[notfredhed]

Rudy%u2019s retort is not just disingenuous, it is an outright lie.
The very definition of a Sanctuary City.
%u201CNew York City's policy toward undocumented immigrants is called "Executive Order 124."
%u201CThis order was issued seven years by Mayor Ed Koch and reissued by my predecessor, Mayor Dinkins, and by me.%u201D (emphasis mine)
"Executive Order 124" protects undocumented immigrants in New York City from being reported to the I.N.S. while they are using city services that are critical for their health and safety, and for the health and safety of the entire City.
There are times when undocumented immigrants must have a substantial degree of protection.%u201D

Monday, September 30, 1996
Archives of Rudy Giuliani
http://www.nyc.gov/html/records/rwg/html/96/immig.html

"If you come here and you work hard and you happen to be in an undocumented status, you're one of the people who we want in this city. You're somebody that we want to protect, and we want you to get out from under what is often a life of being like a fugitive, which is really unfair."
ABC News August 8, 2007
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=3459498&page=1

Whether or not you think illegal immigration is an important issue, whether or not you agree with Giuliani%u2019s reasons for keeping NYC a Sanctuary City, it is clear:
Rudy%u2019s retort to Romney%u2019s assertion is not just disingenuous, it is an outright lie. Have you not been lied to enough by politicians? I have.

[red164]

kenner116.....


The Democratic candidates won't even allow an open discussion about illegal immigration that's how scared they're of the issue. But like another poster said the majority of Americans showed how they felt and don't want amnesty. Besides that fact, Giulianis a loser; the man built his reputation on the rubble of other peoples bodies just like that other loser G.W. The NYFD cannot stand Rudy just watch the streaming video of this firefighter.

Firefighter John Schroeder, assigned to Engine Company 10 directly across the street from the World Trade Center complex, holds back tears and describes his first-hand experience on Sept. 11th in an emotive interview with We Are Change and Loose Change. We Are Change

http://www.prisonplanet.com/articles/august2007/090807_firefighters_account.htm

Schroeder also slammed Rudy Giuliani for ordering the police to arrest the firefighters after they refused to stop digging for their buddies.
"To have us stop digging for our brothers on All Saints Day because they found the gold - it was an absolute crime - because you know if Giuliani's son or any family member was in that pit on that day then he would dig until China to find him."
"To stop our digging and then send the cops out on us, c'mon now something's wrong here," he added.

[drivelphobe]

talkingham.....

The Mexicans are not returning home, they are leaving their home and illegally sneaking across our border, and you know it. We didn't steal Texas and the southwest either. We won the war, which your old general couldn't do with his great philosphy and wisdom. He didn't do very well did he? You southerners share many things with illegals, like flag waving and refusal to assimilate, y'all! Maybe we should give the South to Mexico and you'll start whistling Fado Blanquito. No more Dixie for you. Southern BBQ for tacos and beans.

[talkingham]

Unless you Romney chicken hawk lovers want to re-invent the Gestapo (and you probably do) you're a little late on this illegal alien thing. Probably closer to 20-million than 12-million here if you count the Chinese (and you probably don't).

As old confederate general Nathan Bedford Forest used to say (from my hoem state!)-- the one that gets there the fustest with the mustest wins - and our Hispanic friends whom we stole Texas and most of the Southwest from anyway are just returning home.

Maybe Romney's 5 sons who have refused to participate in US military service could join the border patrol or better yet run it if he gets elected.

[tucano2]

"Sanctuary" promoters support criminals, and do you want an accessory to criminal activity in ANY elected position?

[gretagreen]

I hope this doesn't turn into a contest as to who hates illegal immigrants the most.

This relatively recent outrage and hostility toward illegal immigrants has gotten out of control - and it's spilled over to hostility (and fear and hatred) against legal immigrants -- especially Mexicans. I mean, really, how can one tell?

I support smart compassionate changes in our immigration laws that would give some of them (especially those who came here as minors without any choice in the matter) an opportunity to become legal.

Also, I support strong border and port control, but I cannot support any candidate who is stupid enough to think building a fence across the Mexican border offers any kind of security or control. We need armed guards, and it's going to cost a lot, but better that than money lost in Iraq.

[drivelphobe]

kenner116.....

You are spewing drivel. The American people plugged the phone lines to the White House and all the politicians in an overwhleming response to their attempt to provide amnesty, ( a chance to become citizens) to illegals.

Toldyouso21 is absolutely correct. American citizens resoundingly reject pathways to citizenship or amnesty, but do support work permits. You and the open border yoyos haven't got a clue and making up your own stats is shallow and transparent. You should be a democratic candidate for something. The illegals have to be thrown out of this country and the sooner the better.

[likeitis5050]

kenner116 no they don't. your neighborhood does not constitute a 'strong majority'. Illegal immigrantion is a hot button issue for a good reason...the majority want it brought under control and immigration laws enforced.

[infidel_us]

President Romney.....has a ring to it, no? :)

[valjean7]

What I hear over and over, said in one way or another, is that many know more who they don't like or support than who they do but have no way to register that in the polls or ballots. A no column and the highest net yes wins would let them vote that disenchantment by saying they don't like parsnips without having to say they like broccoli, which they don't either.

[toldyouso21]

The truth is that a strong majority of Americans agree that illegal immigrants should have a chance to become citizens. Posted by kenner116 at 11:06 AM : Aug 09, 2007

Read the new polls after June.

82% believe illegals should NOT get to become citizens, BUT that same 82% do think some should be allowed to work here and think the immigration system should be overhauled. Stats are funny things. One can skew the results just by asking or not asking certain questions. when asked if Americans felt that something must be done about immigration the majority said yes. When asked if they favored illegals working in America, the majority still said yes. This question often included asking if SOME could eventually be put on a path to citizenship.
But when asked specifically if most illegals should be allowed to become citizens--82% said no.

The ugly truth, which made Congress scuttle the bill and even Clinton, Obama and other Dem. abstain insead of taking a side, was the very somber fact that when SPECIFICALLY asked which was a priority---border sec. or illegals staying here, the maj. picked security. And when SPECIFICALLY asked if the 12+ million should get a path to citizenship, the majority was against it.

[random_radar]

Ron Paul always makes sense. I wish Americans would think about what he says.

[ozone-baby]

but if I was mexican all I would have to do is pop out another kid inside US borders, and then go stand in the welfare line and get free medical, free education for my kids and food stamps ( meanwhile I'M still illeagal) all on the tax payers dime.
Posted by ozone-baby at 09:26 AM : Aug 09, 2007


I think you're starting to believe all the repug lies out there ..... This is not the case in my State and i don't see how this is even possible, how do you ID an illegal or how did they get on a list where ? .... if you really do some research on this, you'll find out for the most part that the illegals in the most areas work the longest, for the cheapest but there's always exceptions just as in any society - whether legal or illegal .......
Posted by parrot2 at 09:31 AM : Aug 09, 2007

I am not shooting out my a** here parrot2, my best friend is a social worker for the division of family and children here in Indiana, and she has more Mexican (illegal) cliants than white ones. All they have to do in this state is prove that at least one child is a natural born citizen and they get all kinds of help. And yes the men work, but the woman stay home and collect welfare, by saying they are not married. and my friend can't prove that they are because they don't have a state issued marrage licence, because they were married in another country ( how convenient for them) The system is truely flawed, and ALL illegals need to be sent back. Our economy is over loaded!!

[toldyouso21]

Posted by drivelphobe at 09:50 AM : Aug 09, 2007


None of those issues where i'm at in the Midwest - stayed in this region the last 10yrs - haven't had a 1st hand experience with it yet
Posted by parrot2 at 09:57 AM : Aug 09, 2007


Hmmm. wonder where you are in the midwest. I have lived and owned property in Indiana, Iowa, and Kansas. n addition, I lived for a year in Chicago--all have problems with the illegal immigrant population, from rampant petty theft, to harassmwnt and issues in the schools.

The real facts are--those who open their eyes will see a lot and those who want to pretend everything is fine, will shut their eyes and ears and claim their personal state is reality. So when an illegal apologists closes their eyes and claims there is nothing to see....they really are not lying. No one can see much when they have their eyes closed.

I love it when anti-immigration people say that the government is "ignoring the will of the American people", and that all illegals should leave. The truth is that a strong majority of Americans agree that illegal immigrants should have a chance to become citizens. http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-04-18-illegal-immigrants_N.htm