Romney For President Launches New Television Ad, "Secure Borders"

Friday, May 18, 2007

Boston, MA - Romney for President today launched its newest television ad, "Secure Borders." The ad highlights Governor Romney's support for reforming our immigration system by strengthening our borders and implementing an employment verification system. The remarks were made at an "Ask Mitt Anything" forum on April 3 in Derry, New Hampshire.

The ad will be a part of the campaign's spot rotation starting this weekend in markets in Iowa and New Hampshire. Scripts and viewing links are below.

Script For "Secure Borders" (TV:60):

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY: "Yes Sir?"

QUESTIONER: "How would you deal with the border issue?"

GOVERNOR ROMNEY: "Number one, we should secure our border.

"And number two, we should put in place an employment verification system.

"And by that, I mean that everybody who is not a United States citizen, with a valid Social Security number, would be expected to get a card, with their name and their number and some biometric information. And would indicate their work status, whether they have a visa that allows them to work here or not.

"And then when an employer is thinking of hiring someone, if they don't have a valid Social Security number, he asks for the card, or she asks for the card. They input the number into the computer. The federal database immediately tells them whether they're available to be working or not.

"If they're not, you can't hire them. And if you do, you get the same penalties and fines as if you're not paying your taxes.

"Legal immigration is great. But illegal immigration, that we've got to end. Thank you. And amnesty is not the way to do it. Thanks so much, thank you.

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

To view "Secure Borders", please see: http://mitt-tv.mittromney.com/?showid=62826

The Romney Record: Immigration

Friday, May 18, 2007

FACT: As Governor Of Massachusetts, Governor Romney Took Action To Enforce Immigration Laws.

ENFORCEMENT: In December 2006, Governor Romney Signed A Memorandum Of Agreement With The Federal Government To Allow State Troopers To Enforce Federal 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-STATE TUITION: 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)

ENGLISH IMMERSION: Governor Romney Fought Efforts To Weaken Massachusetts' English Immersion Law. "But yesterday, Romney press secretary Shawn Feddeman said the governor will fight all attempts to slow the implementation of English immersion, known on the ballot as Question 2. ... 'He will veto anything that weakens or delays English immersion,' Feddeman said." (Anand Vaishnav, "Romney Firm On English Timetable," The Boston Globe, 1/24/03)

- In June 2002, Mitt Romney Said "The Approach Of English Immersion Is One That I Support. ... I Would Make English Immersion The Educational Norm For All Non-Native English Speakers." (John McElhenny, "Mitt Romney Endorses 'English Immersion' Education Plan," The Associated Press, 6/4/02)

DRIVER'S LICENCES: Governor Romney Opposed Efforts To Give 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)

FACT: Governor Romney Would Take Action To Secure The Borders Through Physical And Virtual Fences.

Governor Romney: "In my view, there are several principles that need to be part of our immigration plan. First, to secure the border..." (Governor Mitt Romney, Interview On The Northern Alliance Radio Network, 1/27/07)

Governor Romney: "You've got to have a wall or fence or electronic surveillance. You have got to make sure we secure our border, that's first." (Fox News' "The O'Reilly Factor," 9/19/06)

FACT: Governor Romney Supports Strong Reforms To Stop Illegal Immigration And Encourage Legal Immigration.

Governor Romney: "The current system puts up a concrete wall to the best and brightest, yet those without skill or education are able to walk across the border. We must reform the current immigration laws so we can secure our borders, implement a mandatory biometrically-enabled and tamper-proof documentation and employment-verification system, and increase legal immigration into America." (David Yepsen, Op-Ed, "So Far, Romney's Been Most Impressive Republican," Des Moines Register, 7/11/06)

FACT: Governor Romney Opposes The McCain-Kennedy Bill And Any Form Of Amnesty For Illegal Immigrants.

Governor Romney: "McCain-Kennedy Isn't The Answer." "Another aspect of American sovereignty is the security of our borders. The current system is a virtual concrete wall against those who have skill and education, but it's a wide-open walk across the border for those that have neither. McCain-Kennedy isn't the answer. As governor, I took a very different approach. I authorized our state police to enforce federal immigration laws." (Governor Mitt Romney, Remarks At The Conservative Political Action Conference, Washington, D.C., 3/2/07)

FACT: Governor Romney Supports A Strong Employer-Verification System That Includes A Tamper Proof Worker Verification Card.

Governor Romney: "First, to secure the border, number two, have an employment verification system. This would be a card - a biometric card - that people who are not citizens would have and before an employer hires a non citizen they would have to look at the card, type in a number on a computer, and get verification from the federal government that this person is eligible for work in the U.S. If they hired someone not so eligible that company would be fined just like not paying taxes." (Governor Mitt Romney, Interview On The Northern Alliance Radio Network, 1/27/07)

FACT: Governor Romney Supports Empowering Local And State Authorities To Enforce Federal Immigration Laws.

Governor Romney Believes More State And Local Police Agencies Should Work With The Federal Government To Enforce Immigration Laws. "Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney said Tuesday that more state and local police agencies ought to consider making deals with the federal government to have their officers trained in enforcing elements of federal immigration law. ... 'I think it's a good idea for us to communicate that we intend to enforce our laws,' Romney said." (Jacques Billeaud, "Romney: More State, Local Police Should Get Immigration Training," The Associated Press, 3/13/07)

Governor Mitt Romney Announces Senator Sanborn Will Lead Macomb County Effort

Friday, May 18, 2007

Boston, MA - Today, Governor Mitt Romney announced that Michigan State Senator Alan Sanborn has joined his campaign. Senator Sanborn will lead the Romney campaign effort in Macomb County, an important bellwether county in Michigan.

"I am proud to have the support of Senator Alan Sanborn, one of Michigan's leaders on conservative issues," said Governor Romney. "For the last three years, Senator Sanborn has been ranked as the state's most conservative senator, and I am honored to have his endorsement."

Joining the Michigan campaign, Senator Sanborn said, "I am pleased to offer my full support to Governor Romney and his campaign to become our next President. I have carefully reviewed his record as Governor, his experiences in business, at the Olympics and in his family life. I have no doubt that Mitt Romney shares my conservative values and will be a leader that I can be proud to support."

Senator Sanborn recalls that his own father once helped Governor Romney's father as he campaigned in Michigan. "One thing I have learned about the Romneys - they are leaders that know how to get things done," said Sanborn. "On the issues that matter most to me: cutting taxes to build a strong economy, protecting human life, particularly when it is most vulnerable, and protecting our Second Amendment rights, I have asked Mitt Romney the tough questions and am confident that he will be a strong leader on these fronts."

Background On Senator Sanborn:

Senator Sanborn Is From Richmond Township, Michigan. He is the Assistant President Pro-Tempore and is the Chairman of the Committee on Economic Development, Small Business and Regulatory Reform.