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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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repubs are all for an illegal flood. this way more Americans lose jobs, wages get lowered and top 1% status quo maintained. all one needs do is look at the great one; george w bush. he did his best to open the floodgates to mexico. for a strong america we must rise above these charlatans and their arse kissing for votes
And yet Republicans almost unanimously decry the illegal immigration invasion even while liberals tout it as needed and necessary. It adds to the Democrat voting base as they move Chicago-style politics to the national stage. See:
http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/25349
- anbiased account from Canada. Seriously, click on the lonk and read the article.
I'm looking forward to a day when politicians actually care a hoot about our country. Allowing illegals in who are 50% criminals with ties to drug cartels is insane. Background checks on all immigrants is a basic necessity of any country which wants to remain viable.
Didn't realize 50% of migrant workers have ties to drug cartels?
Now you kbow. Most come in bringing drugs as the "payment" to those who get them over the border. And the post was about illegal immigrants - not migrant workers. This is the distinction Republicans hold that liberals just can't get. Legal immigrtion makes this country great! Illegal immigration must be stopped! Why is that so hared to understand?
I thought just about everyone was for "legal immigration" ... of course, if you're an immigrant (legal or not) with poor English, you'll usually interpret Romney's comments as an incenuation that he's for illegal immigration as well ... and probably is. Where else could he find someone to do those jobs Americans don't want to do "at half minimum wage" ... yeah!
You could simp[ly withhold unemployment compensation when there is a job available. Make the lazy slob take the job that he does not want by not paying him not to do so. And of course he will get minimum wage - so that illegal act - if truly occurring - will also be stopped.
I wonder. Does the political pandering to illegal immigration garner more votes from Latinos than it loses votes from U.S. citizens who want the laws of the country upheld?
Liberals have only one reason for wanting illegal immigrationn and it is about votes!
See: http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/25349
The article is from Canada and explains things well.
@ Watermoon ... yeah, and there's only one reason ReThuglicans cater to the wealthy ... they want their MONEY. The ReThuglican motto: "Let nature take its course ... the wealthy Americans will thrive, the poor Americans will die, and then we'll have to hire illegals willing to do those jobs at below-poverty wages ".
Any Latino or American that puts1% faith in Mitt Romney or the GOP are voting AGAINST their best interests. Mitt Romney's answer to immigration is self deportation, which equals misery and suffering for many a slow torture to survive and live, and this from a man and party that claims they want to do the right thing. Americans wake up to these thugs, Mitt Romney will gut this country for the middle class like he has done with many companies he bought and pillaged. Mitt Romney is a disgusting human being.
There are plentyy of hispanics who have elations waiting in the legal oine who do not like that criminals from Mexico are keeping them out by invading illegally and usurping their place. It is only the illegals and others aiding them that would find this GOP position offensive.
Well I think that Mitts Spanish is wonderful !!! How else could you possibly look more like Peter Pander than to butcher the Spanish language while standing there in your hush puppies and pressed jeans with that"I'M passing a pineapple" look on his face....Whats next ??? Is he gonna bust out in an Al Green song...Haaaaa!!!! FOMOFO-O !!!
And Obama speaks Kenyan fluently while communicating with all his relatives there?
It's funny to me that Mitt mentioned his family's Mexican immigration in the last debate. According to the Mexican Romney's they've never had any contact with him. You'd think with many of his cousins living in Mexico he'd at least know some of them. (It's not like Mexico is on the other side of the globe.)
We'll be hearing more I'm sure as he tries to work his empathy with Hispanic immigrants into his campaign. The next step for him will be Rubio as VP in order to get ALL of the Hispanic votes. Otherwise I don't think he cares much about immigrants unless they work for him.
Suzq I agree. Rubio will turn out to be almost as damaging a VP candidate as Palin. When he is vetted there will be plenty bad and most Americans would not be willing to risk the chance of him being the President, he is just not qualified in any matter shape or form.
This from someone who voted for a ticket which included Joe Biden?
Me el nice-o guy-o,see ? I el love you all,me el approovoe this el messegeo...grassy ass...Me El Mitto Le Romneo !!!!
Romney and Gingrich in common with the whole political structure in the United States are dedicated to defrauding US citizenship via mass immigration both legal and illegal.
Legal immigration alone steals 125,000* jobs per month from US citizens, and has been doing so for well over a decade. Do the math.
At the present levels of immigration: Immigration = Unemployed /under paid Citizens.
*numbersusa.com
You are correct. Just look at all the jobs lost in the NBAand other professional sports - really high paying jobs that could go to Americans. And how many scholarships - athletic and scholastic - are lost to American students because they are gobbled up by Canadians and Europeans. We should not allow those temporary legals to do this!
IMHO American men want winning sports team. That's the motivation for getting "temporary legals"!
WE NEED ANOTHER REPUBLICAN DEBATE , '' LOL'' ; then we will see what they meant , when they said '' they'er for immigration. haaaaaaaaaa haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa what a bunch of '' say anything politicians '', for a vote.
And Democrats love illegal immigration because it helps them take Chicago politics nationally.
See: http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/25349
Unbiased Canadian account.
Watermoon. You are one of the clueless in this country that cause all of us to suffer. Please do us all a favor and don't vote, as you are incompetent and not capable of understanding right from wrong. You would be deemed mentally challenged if you every had to go to court.
Such a poor effort to a logical effort to prove aomething said to be false. Can you do better or is this your best shot. Obviously I disturbed you by asking you to read something beyond your capability. Maybe you could go to the local elementaryy school and have a fourth grader read and explain the article to you.
http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/25349
The more legal immigrants that take jobs the better. The more illegal immigrants that take jobs and/or elect to enter the criminal element the better. Screw the citizens we have out of work. Screw the citizens period.
Pander to them. For they are the future of the destruction. Nice.
Good point. Let them in and then people like PDug can sit on their fat butt and watch American Idol while cashing their welfare checks.
Mitt, Mitt, Mitt... Take a second look at Rick Perry's disastrous position on the illegals.
Get in touch with M. Rubio for some solid advice and your running mate, NOW!
No charge for this post, Mitt.
We need only two things to improve the contentious issue of immigration.
1. protect the borders.
2. create jobs for all Americans and newly arrived LEGAL immigrants.
romney is all for Immigration---"For the time Being" ! What a Machiavellian Politician !!!
Romney is an anchor baby -
Suszq,
I wonder if you like LYING? Romney's parents were American citizens, thus Romney is one too.
Are you a DNC or Obama campaign hack, just lying for the paycheck?
@Leona -
(It's so easy to get you outa the woodwork!)
The problem with the Romney family is Mitt's grandparents left the US because of the poligamist laws and they were Poligamists. They moved to Mexico to flee that law. Mitt's father George was born in Mexico. Mitt was born in the US, but isn't this much like what the Mexican immigrants do. Can we see Mitt's birth certifcate?
ps NO I don't work for ANY politcal org., unlike you and FOX.
suszq,
First of all, I would be happy to work for Fox . Unfortunately I don't. I would be proud to admit it if I did and would have no problem declaring so.
As far as the Romneys go, they were all American citizens, they never lost citizenship, so how can you say it is the same thing as what the a'illegals do who come here from Mexico??
They are not Mexicans. I am sure Mitt's birth cert. is available. He won't take 2 years to show it either.
"I was for immigration before I was against it."
Romney, lying and misinformation again, the present schedule is for 11 ships to be built per year and not 9, and the air force is presently up to date as far as we can go without cutting cost. The budget calls for cutting some military and putting more emphasis on guard and reserve.
So, how are you going to make your promise of more for less? You have said you are going to cut to the bone, yet you just said you are going to increase the navy. All this was said in military (navy) areas in northern Florida, where they want to hear this fluff.
Tell EVERYBODY what they want to hear, and it will work right! What a Mickey Mouse leader you are, and would be. Make your family and the church proud, keep up purging crap that you think people want to hear.
All repubican congessmen including 'mitt', the flip-flopping elitist-upper 1% liar, and the "family values" grinch, should all be exiled to Antarctica, postehaste, wearing only their shorts and socks.
Romney flat out lies! The only immigration Romney is for are immigrants brought in on business H1-B visas for cheap labor! The guy flat out lies!
All you have to do is figure out who the biggest liar is and that's who will win.I say Romney and he will only tell the lie once and than he will flip flop
The Republicans are so dysfunctional that GWB was the last Republican Zar for the distant future. They were a respectable party until the flea party and the kooks came in to play now they are the biggest joke in the world and they are so obvious about it. In the 2013 elections they will lose the house because of the flea party and the right wing nut jobs.
Hillary Clinton will resign as sec. of state this year to rest up and devise a campaign strategy for 2016 this will probably be the best 12 years coming up for the country and the middle class.
Our nation is history!
The traditional, sustainable level that we had for legal immigration was 250,000 persons per year, a number that still far outstripped any other country in the entire world.
But now we allow 1.5 million* in each year with the resultant flooding of the domestic labor market and suppressed wages.
I say halt all employment based immigration yesterday and let US citizens get back to work.
*numbersusa.com
Romney's speech today, at which he was introduce by in Spanish by his youngest son,
"at which he was introduce" ???
not introduced???
Come on MSNBC!!! Let's get on ball! Be all can be! Do what have do!
Larry
Obama supports immigration too. Several of his Kenyan relatives received special dispensation from the Democrat- led government to stay in the US instead of being deported. It's good to be king!
taildragrr-1893437,
The economy is better now than it was in December 2008-Jan. 2009. This after 4 years of Obama following 8 years of Bush failed economic policies. Obama turned around in 4 years what Bush squandered (a zero national deficit) in 8 years. It's the economy, Stupid!!!!
How will Mitt Romney address fairness with American workers whom he took advantage of them during Bain Capital and made a quick profit by slice and dice the companies he brought, and now he only pay 13.9 % tax rate from that wealth, when American workers pay 30-40 tax rate? Will Mitt address fair share with American workers or he wil call them envy of his 13.9% tax rate and Swiss Bank account?
By the way, will Mitt Romney show American voters his complete tax return since Bain Capital?
I love a world where first you get to vote for Obama or McCain and Sarah. Then you get to vote for Obama and Romney.. This is like choosing dog food or cat food and calling it a menu.
Our "democracy" has been taken over by special interest groups and taken away from the people!