Romney Fails to Lay Out Clear Alternative on Immigration Policy, Says FAIR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Gov. Mitt Romney needs to articulate his own immigration policy positions to the American people, beyond merely stating that he would not rescind President Obama's two-year deferred action policy for illegal aliens who might have qualified for the DREAM amnesty Act, charged the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR). In comments made on Tuesday, the Republican presidential nominee offered only vague promises that, as president, he would present a "full immigration reform plan."

"Heading into the homestretch of a hotly contested presidential election, the American public is looking for something more concrete than 'what's done is done' from the challenger," said Dan Stein, president of FAIR. "Gov. Romney squandered the opportunity to draw any policy distinctions between himself and President Obama. He needs to articulate whether he believes the backdoor amnesty policy implemented by the president is wrong and harmful to the interests of American workers and taxpayers, whether it amounts to an unconstitutional end-run around the authority of Congress, or even what his own 'full immigration reform plan' would look like. He needs to make clear that as president, he would enforce immigration law and challenge President Obama's new claim of unbridled executive power to re-write the nation's immigration laws."

Immigration is emerging as an important policy issue in this year's election. President Obama has unequivocally defined how he would handle immigration policy over the next four years. With five weeks to go until Election Day, Gov. Romney still has not laid out a clear position on immigration policy.

"The people need to know what would be different under a Romney administration," said Stein. "Is Gov. Romney opposed to granting amnesty to illegal aliens as he stated repeatedly during his campaign for the Republican nomination, or is he open to legalization for some or all of the illegal aliens who are here? Beyond the two-year deferment offered by President Obama, will he allow beneficiaries to remain here and maintain work authorization? Does Gov. Romney consider the president's decision to implement a policy that was rejected by Congress less than two years ago to be an unconstitutional usurpation of Congress's authority? How would a Romney administration renew credibility to an immigration control system now in a shambles?

"Ironically, Gov. Romney has been explicit about his desire to repeal President Obama's Affordable Health Care Act which Congress at least voted for, but has not definitively opposed an illegitimate broad-based DREAM Act benefits package that Congress voted against.

"The American public is clearly alarmed with President Obama's new claims of executive power and his refusal to enforce laws that protect their interests. They are still waiting for a definitive statement from his opponent about what he would do differently," Stein concluded.

About FAIR

Founded in 1979, FAIR is the country's largest immigration reform group.  With over 250,000 members nationwide, FAIR fights for immigration policies that serve national interests, not special interests.  FAIR believes that immigration reform must enhance national security, improve the economy, protect jobs, preserve our environment, and establish a rule of law that is recognized and enforced. Visit FAIR's website at http://www.fairus.org

SOURCE Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR)