Romney Campaign Press Release - Romney For President Launches New Television Ad, "Change Immigration"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Kevin Madden (857) 288-6390

Boston, MA – Today, Romney for President announced its newest television ad, "Change Immigration." The ad highlights Governor Romney's plan to reform our immigration system by securing the border, cutting back on funding for cities that ignore federal immigration laws and opposing amnesty. Governor Romney has a record of enforcing our immigration laws. He deputized the State Police to enforce federal immigration law, opposed driver's licenses for illegal immigrants, and vetoed in-state tuition for illegal immigrants.

The ad is airing as part of the campaign's rotation in Iowa and New Hampshire. Script and viewing link are below.

Script For "Change Immigration" (TV:30):

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY: "We all know Hillary Clinton and the Democrats have it wrong on illegal immigration.

"Our party should not make that mistake.

"As Governor, I authorized the State Police to enforce immigration laws. I opposed driver's licenses and in-state tuition for illegal aliens.

"As President, I'll oppose amnesty, cut funding for sanctuary cities and secure our borders.

"Legal immigration is great, but illegal immigration – that's got to stop.

"I'm Mitt Romney and I approved this message."

To watch "Change Immigration," please see: http://tv.mittromney.com/?showid=451575

AD FACTS: Script For "Change Immigration" (TV:30):


GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY: "We all know Hillary Clinton and the Democrats have it wrong on illegal immigration. Our party should not make that mistake."

- Sen. Hillary Clinton Said Giving Driver's Licenses To Illegal Immigrants "Makes A Lot Of Sense." NBC's TIM RUSSERT: "Senator Clinton, I just want to make sure what I heard. Do you, the New York Senator Hillary Clinton, support the New York governor's plan to give illegal immigrants a driver's license?" ... SEN. HILLARY CLINTON: "You know, Tim, this is where everybody plays gotcha. It makes a lot of sense." (MSNBC, Democrat Presidential Candidate Debate, Philadelphia, PA, 10/30/07)

- Sen. Clinton Recently Defended New York's Sanctuary Policy, Saying, "I Don't Think There Is Any Choice." MSNBC's TIM RUSSERT: "But you would allow the sanctuary cities to disobey the federal law?" SEN. CLINTON: "Well, I don't think there is any choice." (MSNBC, Democratic Presidential Candidate Debate, Hanover, NH, 9/26/07)

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY: "As Governor, I authorized the State Police to enforce immigration laws. I opposed driver's licenses and in-state tuition for illegal aliens."

- In December 2006, Governor Romney Signed A Memorandum Of Agreement With The Federal Government Deputizing State Troopers To Enforce Immigration Laws. "Governor Mitt Romney and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Assistant Secretary Julie L. Myers today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and ICE, which will give specially trained Massachusetts State Troopers the authority to administer and enforce federal immigration laws in the Commonwealth." (Office Of The Governor, "Governor Romney, ICE Sign Immigration Enforcement Pact," Press Release, 12/13/06)

- In June 2006, Governor Romney Announced That He Would Seek A 287(g) Agreement With The Federal Government. "Days after Attorney General Tom Reilly reaffirmed his promise not to hunt down companies that hire illegal immigrants, Gov. Mitt Romney has decided to take matters into his own hands. Romney, who is considering a run for president in 2008, has asked his legal counsel to explore the possibility of entering into an agreement with the federal government that would authorize state troopers to arrest illegal immigrants, said spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom yesterday. " (Rebecca Fater, "Romney: State Troopers Should Have Power To Arrest Illegal Immigrants," Lowell Sun, 6/22/06)

- Governor Romney Opposed The Issuance Of Driver's Licenses To Illegal Immigrants. "'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)

- Governor Romney Vetoed In-State Tuition For Illegal Immigrants. "Romney also vetoed a number of outside sections of the budget, including: ... A plan that would have permitted illegal aliens to pay the same in-state tuition rate at our public colleges and universities as Massachusetts citizens." (Office Of The Governor, "Romney Signs $22.402B Fiscal Year 2005 'No New Tax' Budget," Press Release, 6/25/04)

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY: "As President, I'll oppose amnesty, cut funding for sanctuary cities and secure our borders. Legal immigration is great, but illegal immigration – that's got to stop. I'm Mitt Romney and I approved this message."

- Governor Romney: "But at the same time, New York City was a sanctuary city. The mayor said, 'Look, if you happen to be illegal, we want you in New York City.' That's exactly the wrong kind of message to send in my view. And I think we ought to cut off some funding – federal funding to cities that call themselves sanctuary cities, that welcome people into their cities who are illegal and who provide benefits to individuals – other than, of course, emergency health care and education." (Fox News' "Fox & Friends," 8/9/07)

- Governor Romney "Would Move To Deny Some Federal Money To Cities Which Declare Themselves 'Sanctuaries' For Illegal Immigrants." "In answer to a question about immigration, Romney said as president he would move to deny some federal money to cities which declare themselves 'sanctuaries' for illegal immigrants. Romney told the crowd that 'irks' him. 'We send hundreds of millions of dollars to these cities – even billions of dollars – from the federal government,' Romney said. 'We ought to stop doing that.'" (O. Kay Henderson, "Romney 'Disappointed' By Ethical Lapses," Radio Iowa, 8/2/07)

- Governor Romney: It "Is Simply Wrong" For Sanctuary Cities To Ignore The Law. "Romney received loud applause when he blasted cities that openly proclaim they will not pursue deportation of illegal immigrants. He said such 'sanctuary cities' ignore the law. 'That is simply wrong. We've got to stop that,' he said. He added that he sees a clear distinction between legal and illegal immigration and rejected calls to close the border." (Matt Milner, "Romney Fires At Democrat Rivals," Ottumwa Courier, 7/28/07)

To watch "Change Immigration," please see: http://tv.mittromney.com/?showid=451575