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MIAMI -- At his first public appearance since aggressively defending himself as "pro-immigration" at last night's final Florida debate, Mitt Romney took to the podium again today to argue that he and the Republican party are firmly in favor of legal immigration.
"First of all, with regards to immigration. I like immigration. I like legal immigration. I think its important for America to recognize that immigration is an extraordinary source of vitality of our nation. That bringing people of different cultures here creates opportunity and growth for the entire economy," Romney said. "We are not anti-immigrant. We are not anti-immigration. We are the pro-immigration, pro-legality, pro-citizenship party."
Romney's speech today, at which he was introduce by in Spanish by his youngest son, touched on a wide variety of other issues important to the Hispanic community, including economic growth in Latin America, US Policy toward Cuba and whether or not Puerto Rico should become the 51st state.
"What's happening in Latin America, whether its Mexico or the Carribbean, through Central America, through South America is such extraordinary growth economically, not to mention demographically, that there is a huge economic, political and military opportunity and series of challenges and obligations here in this hemisphere," Romney said, promising to maintain closer ties to the region, often largely ignored in U.S. foreign policy.
Romney also continued his appeal to South Florida's Cuban-American community, saying that a Romney administration would support Cubans seeking freedom upon the death of Fidel Castro -- a remark which earned him a standing ovation.
"There is a time coming soon, where Cuba will be free. That's going to happen. We're going to have to get organized for it. We're going to have to recognize that people there want freedom, as people do all over the world, and America can't sit back," Romney said. "I will not only say something when Fidel Castro finally leaves this earth, I will do something. I will be behind the voices of freedom here an the voices of freedom there. We will help Cuba become free."
Romney also touched on the controversial question of whether or not Puerto Rico should become the 51st state. Two days ago at a Univision forum, Romney said he "would not argue one side or the other" of the issue, and that his choice "is to let [the people of Puerto Rico] make their own choice."
Today, he said he would support a Puerto Rican effort at earning statehood, if the people of Puerto Rico supported such a move in a referendum, scheduled for November.
""I'm looking forward to the time when the people of Puerto Rico make their decision about becoming a state," Romney said."I expect the people of Puerto Rico will decide like [Governor Luis Fortuno] feels, to become a state, and I can tell you that I will work with him that if that vote comes out in favor of statehood we will go through the process in Washington to provide statehood to Puerto Rico. "
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I get it, that the country was founded on immigration, but that was two hundred years ago. Maybe we don't need immigration to move forward in the future. Maybe there are enough people here to grow and sustain the nation.
Most of the countries in the world manage just fine with out large numbers of immigrants. Why are we the only country that seems to need immigration in large numbers to progress.
I think we are in group think mode, that we have been told for so long that we need immigration to succeed that no one questions it.
Did you even bother to look this up? If you did you'd find your wrong. The most homogenous society of the industrialized world is Japan. Other than that the industrialized countries have large numbers of immigrants headed their way.
Europe has been debating this for decades. Some of the EU do have restrictive measures as they are poor, but Spain right now has large numbers coming from Africa, France has ME immigrants,etc.
Middle East, the rich countries have large numbers of immigrants doing work.
Why, cause they are the only ones who will do a lot of the s**t jobs that a society of wealth or industry needs done. Do you really believe Joe America is gonna go work in these jobs. Some, but not most. This is being proven now with states passing new laws having more problems filling certain jobs.
I told you once and I'll tell you again ... the entire right-wing simply has no where to go since Bush ... their is no appreciable way to measure insanity ... it just is ...
Only in America could the right-wing conduct themselves as it is since Bush ... as Odessa Nazis.
Dreamer..................
Yet another reason why he should not be elected. The republicans really need to come up with someone better. i don't want another 4 years of Obama
DeportingGranniesNewt.com Sounds more and more like Soros is running Gingrich's campaign. Newt attaked Paul Ryan's medicare plan as right-winged social engineering. Media Matters throws a wheel chair-bound granny over a cliff. Obama wants to face ANTBODY BUT MITT, because he will lose in a landslide.
ROMNEY / RUBIO 2012
Is that you Leona?
Any Hispanic brother or Sister reading this post, please don't believe Mitt Romney, He's a liar. This Man if in office will send you to Mexico with no questions asked and have you jailed,fined and deported. He's for the rich and the rich only. Stand up for your rights and stand behind President Obama for immigration Reform in His second term. Obama/Biden 2012
Whose Social Security number did you steal................................brother
It’s not condescending, but if you came to America by whatever means without permission of the People via the US government, you are violating this country’s sovereignty rights? I doubt if there is any country on Mother Earth, where you would not be imprisoned or immediately deported? Mexican laws have very strict statutes, that illegal entry is punishable as a Felony. Congress and being owned by special interests money doesn't impose a felony. It's a walk away "slap-on-the-hand punishment and then unless it’s a second entry after deportation, you can now walk away from being incarcerated--thanks to the executive order from President Obama. Life has been made so easy for foreign nationals, which they can even demonstrate in the streets, demanding rights without any recourse from ICE? They shouldn't even be here, but they are able to ride the welfare programs through a poor interpretation of the 14th Amendment. People come from every hemisphere after waiting years for a visa, but others steel in disguised as a tourist with unborn babies or just steal across our perforated border fence. Then they go about stealing somebody’s Identification to get a job, procure that persons credit.
Our once praiseworthy schools are now poorly recognized for performance, as they were 30 years ago. The top State for education originated in California and now it is somewhere around the bottom of the barrel. Millions who swarmed into Los Angeles County have turned it into miles of poverty stricken neighborhoods, without any countermeasures from the immigration police. Hospitals are hurting from unpaid treatments and Border States saw many of these institutions go bankrupt—another good example of unfunded mandates. Prez Obama is on hunt for more votes in 2012, so it makes major sense to fly off to Nevada, heavily populated with illegal aliens and a very poor set of voting regulations. Every American must be involved to oversee the outcome of every precinct and the value of Absentee Ballots that are easily forged. How can the United States government expect to support, the senior citizens, along with veterans, homeless and infirm citizens, when they are subsidizing 440 000 illegal alien infants annually. Why patriotic Americans who speak up for themselves should, be forced to feel guilty or defend their stance on illegal immigration. The Tea Party doesn't--that for sure, and rigidly holds the line on another blanket amnesty, sanctuary city policies, and dream acts, family chain migration or any other law, which eventually falls to the taxpayers in supporting unfunded mandates.
I think the President is in for a rude awakening as pro-illegal alien Democrats, Republicans lawmakers start to lose their seats in the Senate or House in the forthcoming months. Why should Americans be forced by the law courts to be the payee for the rest of the world? No matter for what issue, whether foreign or domestic policies? We must look to employing our own low income, white and blue collar labor and stop the incessant pandering to lawbreakers. Our Immigration laws are not broken as the Liberal press assures us, as they are either eating out of the hands of the newspaper owners or carefully manipulated by unions, non-profits and radical groups. With probably the most important Election in decades we must be seriously vigilant of no real movement on behalf of this administration, to stop non-citizens voting. They will and have driven by the re animated ACORN organization who are accomplished in fraudulent canvassing for votes. All would-be presidential candidates should be well aware of illegal aliens voting, specifically when they are very likely to be issued a deportation order. Of course if other states akin to Arizona are crushed by the iron hand of the Department of In-Justice, run by Liberal progressive Eric Holder who reputation is ruined by his involvement in the gun running carnival, which killed a US border Patrolmen? Simple and with no cost to taxpayers is the well documented “ATTRITION BY ENFORCEMENT.” Self-Deportation will commence when Aliens cannot support their families, with the implementation of Mandatory E-Verify.
Mitt Romney is certainly correct about E-Verify and its powerful influence would drive the illegal aliens home and nothing need be done except multiple lightening raids by ICE on businesses. His minions in the Justice Department have sued any state that has been fighting for financial survival and then plagued Conservative Governors Jan Brewer as she in most frontier States have been forced by the liberal judiciary to subsidize any impoverished person who squats in that state.
Two bills are ready to arrive at the floor of the House of Representative, which could injure the mechanism that awards criminal acts of illegal immigration. E-Verify --The "Legal Workforce Act" that can contain the 8 million working illegal aliens and will halt them in their tracks. The E-Verify program must be succeeding as 4 Democrats have now co-sponsored this bill and you should contact your federal or local lawmaker at 202-224-3121. A simple method of identifying who is hired by companies, that doesn't want to become a victim of incompetence,. They know full well that when this law is passed, they will be facing heavy fines, loss of assets and even time behind bars. A few citizens or authorized or lawful residents, which fall through the cracks, can find relief by going to the local Social Security office; aliens will flee, rather than entering a federal agency. Another bill less publicized by the Liberal press or other media, is the “Birthright Citizenship" amendment, which would offer no more foothold for the illegal parent or parents of children smuggled into America. No more easy preference for a pregnant Mother so she can immediately get public assistance, hospital birthing, food stamps or anything else given freely by our indifferent government. Whoever wins the presidency--Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum or even Ron Paul must be held accountable, for every promise they declare to the public audience.
Make your own judgment for who you will vote for, whether a new state governor, a new state senator or those in the highest levels of government who have been secretive in pouring billions in taxpayer money to support the 20 million and more who have settled here illegally. Any search engine such as Google Yahoo will show you hundreds of reports on the real costs, graphs and other statistics. The power of the American people, that is the TEA PARTY, is sickened by the complete abuse of laws from the founding fathers. NumbersUSA has displays of grafts and the presidential hopeful’s grades on illegal immigration. Want to know how minority speaker deceived the system through her corruption; it is well illustrated in the legal watchdog pages of Judicial Watch. Want to know the nauseating cost if President Obama slips through a blanket amnesty, that’s found at Hermitage Foundation.
The TEA PARTY does not alienate any race or nationality as the Liberal media would like you to think? It just requests the 1986 Immigration law (IRCA) enforced and not altered to pander to illegal migrants and immigrants.
President Obama is pandering to these people for votes--illegal or a legal immigrant. Neither non-citizen can vote but WILL unless we introduce federal possession of a picture ID to vote. Learn more at NumbersUSA
nice wall of text
I happened to notice an article regarding a Jewish editor’s (in Atlanta) call for the assassination of President Obama because he didn’t feel our president was pro-Israel enough. That is not only totally irresponsible but also completely ridiculous. Besides being insane it neglects two obvious and very weighty facts. One, America’s politicians’ first responsibility is to America and American interests. That isn’t advocating protectionism or isolationism but rather just that common sense dictates the pursuit of America’s interests without seconding them to any other countries interests. Second, the reality is that Israel has had no better friend than America and that has been emphatically proven and it is very apparent it will continue without interruption. So the reality is that it is just more reasonable for people like this blindly biased individual to realize that thinking as he is, is tantamount to “cutting off his nose to spite his face” and it would really be much more intelligent and reasonable to encourage Israel to just find some ways to bend to help achieve peace. Hopefully the huge contributions to campaigns are not creating these types of self-serving thinking.
We have in the last few years set the standard for the way people are handling their foreign policies and assassinations have become our latest tool. We call someone a terrorist or evil leader, put the crosshairs on them and pull the trigger. No trial, no day in court, no evidence, no rights.... nothing. They just pissed us off. We have treaties in place that are totally adamant about ZERO foreign leader assassinations even in time of war. Now this terrorism crap voids every foreign treaty, our constitution and Bill of Rights. Unfortunately, we are planting the seeds for other aggressive nations and groups.
I agree Israel should be taking care of themselves 100%. They have not assisted us either financially or militarily for ANY war the US has been involved in. They have also not assisted one bit in any natural disaster etc. Not a penny has come this direction despite Israel having one of the highest standards of living there is. Israel is loving our blood being spilt and our nation going in debt to forward a middle east agenda that benefits Israel and not the US.
What's our is their's.......... what's theirs is theirs. Once you start an "entitlement" like foreign aid they start believing they deserve it and lose all humbleness for receipt of such a privilege. Israel is the ONLY country given foreign aid in cash. Everyone else has to take it in arms.
Sound familiar right here at home with entitlements and humbleness? Once you give assistance to stop means civil unrest, riots, looting etc. The entitlement junkies have become extortionists.
Mitt you finally said something intelligent and then you run away from it.You can make illegals self deport.You cut off the jobs and the scum bags who hire them.You make the fines and jail time stiff enough that hiring them isn't profitable.They will leave or it will force them learn English at least enough to say stick em up
Mittens, he reminds me of the slick carny trying to work the last dime out of my pocket at the coin toss game.
But none of that matters. We'll just print more money!!! Woohoo!1
A "military opportunity"??? Really.
Maybe in the near future we'll get to willards 5 sons in uniform, serving their country.. Taking advantage of ..... an opportunity.
""What's happening in Latin America, whether its Mexico or the Carribbean, through Central America, through South America is such extraordinary growth economically, not to mention demographically, that there is a huge economic, political and military opportunity""
Romney keeps changing his mind, doing 180's and saying he's become a conservative. Romney is not talking about how he and the Congress are going to fix the concentration of wealth in the hands of fewer and fewer people and the concentration of power in stricter, less compassionate hands in all aspects of local, state and the federal government. Romney's not talking about equalizing and sharing the tax pain with the richest Americans. Everyone should remember the Congress is directly responsible for the actions of Big Banks and Wall Street. We should not ignore the most important issues - WHO MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR WALL STREET TO COMMIT THE MOST EGREGIOUS ACTS AGAINST THIS COUNTRY? Who threw out the Glass/Steagall Act of 1933? Why do 47%-68% of electric utilities favor republicans? Why does big oil favor Republicans? Romney disclosed an income of $20.9 million, with the couple paying a tax rate of 13.9 percent, closer to the estimate that Romney gave at a January 17 press conference. The Romney's income came entirely from investments, mostly from capital gains, which are taxed at a lower rate than other types of income. Mitt wanted to stop the bad press? I am appalled as he paid at a lower rate than I did.
Clinton signed the repeal of Glass Steagall. That was totally bi-partisan legislation and why wouldn't it be? Both party's including Obama's current administration were/are sucking down tens of millions from Goldman Sachs, Fannie/Freddie. The Big Five Banks and every cheesball hedgefund operation not to mention every other major parasitic financial lobby operating in the US.
There is no freaking difference between Obama and Romney Goldman Sachs and the "untouchable too big too fail" cartel are the top lobby backing both these lobby owned stooges.
We still can't figure out who the heck Obama even is. There are so many sealed records he just appeared out of nowhere into his political career. We can't see his financial backing from birth to his political career. No grades, no papers, no college political alliances, no friends etc etc. Everything is hush hush.. top secret.
Both Romney and Obama are two sides of the same corrupt coin. You are truly blind if you can't see that. We have 300 million people in this country and these two are the best the country can do? This whole thing is rigged to a choice between crook 1 or crook 2.
Translation - willard wants the Cuban people to experience the wonders of corporate America..
Or,.. potentially hide some money there..
"""There is a time coming soon, where Cuba will be free. That's going to happen.""
Unless Republicans come up with a credible, fact based reason for hating Obama, I can only conclude that they are racists.
Of course. Makes total sense! LMAO!!!!
Libtard.
Prove me wrong!
Uh... uh... uh... they searching to find other reason... but they can't...
Who cares about Puerto Rico?
Who cares about Cuba?
Most individuals with an intellect that has developed beyond the junior high level.
I just checked, and sadly, you're not on list list...
You guys make me laugh. What is the benefit??
Come on h-o-m-o. What's the benefit for the U.S.?
Puerto Rico has had elections to become a state and it has been voted DOWN every single time. Not even close i might add. Wonder why?
As a state Puerto Rico and all its citizens immediately assume responsibility for a $16 trillion dollar debt and $1.7 trillion dollar a year deficit. They are responsible for supporting 3 undeclared foreign wars with no plan, no way to measure results and no exit strategy. They inherit the financial responsibility for 80 million boomers retiring from taxpayers to dependents on SS/MediCare. Their payments begin immediately.
They inherit a MASSIVE pile of federal mandates that would quickly bankrupt Puerto Rico. They also would enjoy an influx of a couple of million welfare recipients who would love to collect their welfare in a nice sunny tropical island.
Yep, statehood.... bwaa ha ha ha Don't confuse uneducated people with "stupid" people.
So enjoy U.S. support and protection while deflecting responsibility. Just like they've done for YEARS.
F-U-C-K them!!!
The extent of US support in Puerto Rico is for strategic military value only. Our government could give a rats ass about the people of Puerto Rico. They are an annoying inconvenience of confiscating the island for military value. The politicians and bankers figure since we are stealing their land we might as well financially enslave them with debt they did not create while we are at it.
I agree!! So either we separate or consolidate. Which is it?
I wonder if this money grubbing C-O-C-K-S-U-C-K-E-R thinks all Americans should move some of our money to offshore bank accounts in Switzerland and the Cayman Islands like he did?
F-U-C-K this two faced A-S-S-H-O-L-E !!
He's a tax dodger
LMAO!!
Obamao hasn't moved any money offshore has he? Was Romney responsible for TAXPAYER money?
So Romney is FOR his "Self Deportation" plan so that the US of A will have a "Legal Immigration" plan.
Can anyone explain how Romney has a plan that will work on this subject?
I'll answer since not one single Romney supporter on this planet will answer..........
Romney has NO plan.....No idea what to do....
It's that simple..No plan..No idea.
But Romney supporters don't care anyway.
Hhahhahahahahahahhahahahahahhahaha
President Obama is the only sane adult in the room.
You cut off the entitlements for the illegal parasites and come down with a sledge hammer on employers hiring them. You start confiscating business's, machinery, trucks, tools and most of all bank accounts. You change violations from meaningless pithily fines to felonies.
Then all you do is hand out bottled waters as they all go back down south. They simply don't want to stop 20 million more destitute people sucking down entitlements to completely bankrupt the states so they will be slaves to the central bankers just like the federal government is.
Most of you feel the federal government is funded by the federal tooth fairy. You will change your tune when the creditors shut us off very soon.
You don't understand. Romney IS Obama!!
No difference. You'll learn one day children.
Well said... the party of one.
Actually Romney is "Obama Light" One party and at the top....... one lobby. The globalists
He is!! I'm not against you. But people need to think outside of the party norm. There are wrongs and rights on both sides.
What would be the benefit of Puerto Rico as a state?
Romney is just Obama-lite.
Romney is FOR legal immigration.
WOW, what a thing to be FOR.
He's also FOR a new tax code that reduces taxes on the top 1% and shifts the burden to the middle class.
That's great for the top 1%.........Bad for America............Good for China and every other country that competes against America.
Let;s see if China replaces the Caymans as the new tax haven for Romney's money.
The blood sucking parasites of mainstream candidates from both party's would endorse Adolph Hitler for a few votes. After the election it is back to "What's a Latino?" "Were they on my lobby list of big time donators?"
Nope? Screw em them!
Bottom line Romney will say anything to get elected
He will pick his crowd and say what he thinks they want to here.
He's a Republican who is for the Rich, Big Business, the Bankers, Wall Street, he has no concern for the Middle Class , OLD or POOR unless its to have them pay all the bill of the US Government.
He's for tax cuts for People like him the very Rich, thats why he has his Money in the Caymans Islands, thats why he pays next to nothing in taxes, thats for the Middle Class , OLD and POOR
If you want more of the same, More tax cuts for the Rich, More Wars, Bigger DEBT, and all put on the backs of the Middle Class, OLD POOR then vote Republican because thats what they want to take us back too
We should just give Puerto Rico and Cuba welfare checks now.
Why not?
We're already doing it...
Huh?
That's the 2nd post that nobody can understand.
While on the subject of people not being able to understand............
What Romney supporter can explain why they like him???
Other than ...He's not Obama.....That is all any GOP supporter can say about who the like.
Romney is great motivation to get into the 1% though..........cause you will be paying more if you are in the bottom 99% with a Romney presidency.
I am an American born in South Carolina. Ten years ago plus US immigration disallowed my indonesian wife to return to the USA due to immigration papers not being filed correctly causing her to an illegal overstay on her visit visa. This was the mother of our infant daughter born in America, also an American citizen. How can any country kick out the mother of an infant and wife of their citizens due to documents not being filed correctly.
If we got rid of the entitlements we could make all immigration a LOT easier on everyone. It was that "hack it or pack it" type of immigrant that made America great. You either brought enough money with you to survive until you could "make it" or you went back home. You also could not come into an area and say "I will work for half as much as your current workers". Try that in Europe and you will be run out of town on a rail.
Now we have the get knocked up and run across the border onto Welfare and Medicaid type of immigrant. Oh and all their other 9 children live free too. Then when they get set up in HUD housing they can rent the garage out to 12 more illegals. We also have to take the mothers word the "other" children are even hers because there are no documents.
Get rid of all the entitlements and the system runs rather efficiently. You can't mix immigration be it legal or illegal with entitlements. They just don't mix and cause MASSIVE problems.
"You brought enough money with you to survive until you could make it or you went back home". LOL, Tell that to the Irish that came here during the potato famine.
Sorry to hear that Glenn. I hope it has been resolved. I'm not certain I understand what she did wrong. I do believe that if she remains a resident alien married to a US citizen she can only leave for up to 6 months unless this has changed.
Unfortunately persons like Adams apparently doesn't understand legal immigration policy. As a American married to a foreigner, when they come into the US there is financial paperwork you sign. Mine was for 5 years support of my wife regardless of whether we stayed to together or not. We are still together. I believe this has been extended to 7 years. That means NO means tested programs, as the tax payers AREN'T paying this, you are.
Romney stresses support for needing the latino vote regardless of what he believes in his heart about latinos.
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Neither party gives a crap about anything but campaign money and votes. You are a fool if you think these politicians taking tens of millions from the most corrupt corporations and unions on the planet care about 'the little guys".
They want your votes to get into office so they can raid the Treasury, ruin the credit and destroy the currency while them and their buddies park a fortune offshore for when the Titanic sinks. There is only one party in the US and that is the LOBBY PARTY. Our politicians including this President are nothing but marketing managers for the lobby's.
Romney and his flip flopping blows in the wind.