Romney to tackle immigration in 'civil' manner

Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney speaks to supporters at the Holland State Park beach Tuesday, June 19, 2012. (AP Photo/The Grand Rapids Press,Chris Clark )

Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney speaks to supporters at the Holland State Park beach Tuesday, June 19, 2012. (AP Photo/The Grand Rapids Press,Chris Clark )

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) ? Mitt Romney pledged Thursday to address illegal immigration "in a civil but resolute manner" and said he will overhaul the green card system for immigrants with families and end immigration caps for their spouses and minor children.

Romney also told a Hispanic audience that his administration would complete a 2,000-mile border fence to help stem illegal immigration. He faulted President Barack Obama's recent plan to ease deportation rules for some children of illegal immigrants as little more than a "stop-gap measure."

"As President, I won't settle for a stop-gap measure. I will work with Republicans and Democrats to find a long-term solution," Romney told the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials. "I will prioritize measures that strengthen legal immigration and make it easier. And I will address the problem of illegal immigration in a civil but resolute manner. We may not always agree, but when I make a promise to you, I will keep it."

Obama will speak to the same group Friday.

Romney has struggled in recent days to clarify his immigration policy as he pivots from the harsh rhetoric that defined the month-long GOP primary to a general election audience in which Latinos will play a critical role. The stakes are high not only for states with larger Hispanic populations such as Florida, Nevada and Colorado, but for a growing number of other battlegrounds ? Ohio, North Carolina and Virginia, among them ? where even a modest shift among Latino voters could be significant.

At least 1 in 6 Americans is of Hispanic descent, according to the Census Bureau.

"We're talking about a significant share of the American electorate that could well decide this election," said Arturo Vargas, executive director of the Latino association. "It's only now that both candidates are turning their attention to the Latino vote."

Romney's speech comes as the Supreme Court prepares to render judgment on a get-tough Arizona law and after Obama announced plans to ease deportation rules for some children of illegal immigrants.

"Some people have asked if I will let stand the president's executive action," Romney said in his prepared remarks. "The answer is that I will put in place my own long-term solution that will replace and supersede the president's temporary measure."

Obama is riding a wave of Latino enthusiasm over his decision to allow hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants to stay in the country and work. Under the administration plan, illegal immigrants can avoid deportation if they can prove they were brought to the United States before they turned 16 and are younger than 30, have been in the country for at least five continuous years, have no criminal history, and graduated from a U.S. high school or earned a GED or served in the military.

The new policy could help anywhere from 800,000 young immigrants, the administration's estimate, to 1.4 million, the Pew Hispanic Center's estimate.

Romney had previously refused to say whether he would reverse the policy if elected, but he has seized on the temporary status of Obama's plan as his prime criticism. The Republican has also highlighted what he calls the president's "broken promises" to deliver comprehensive immigration reform during his first term.

"Unfortunately, despite his promises, President Obama has failed to address immigration reform," Romney said. "For two years, this president had huge majorities in the House and Senate ? he was free to pursue any policy he pleased. But he did nothing to advance a permanent fix for our broken immigration system. Instead, he failed to act until facing a tough re-election and trying to secure your vote."

Both sides are crafting aggressive strategies to appeal to a demographic that is by no means monolithic but has supported Democrats in recent elections. Some Republicans fear ? and Democrats hope ? that Obama could capitalize on this moment to help solidify Hispanic voters as predominantly Democratic this fall and for years to come, much as President Lyndon Johnson hardened the black vote for Democrats as he pushed the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

As is typical, Romney also focused on the economy. The former Massachusetts governor argued that his economic credentials would benefit all people who have struggled under Obama's leadership in recent years ? women, younger voters and Hispanics among them.

That's a message that resonates with Latinos, according to Vargas. "Overall, what's on the minds of the folks who will be gathering here is the state of the economy ? the need for more jobs," he said. "Latino workers have suffered."

Regardless of his focus, Romney's appearance will draw attention to his recent rhetoric on the issue.

Facing a Rhode Island audience in April, for example, Romney drew large cheers when he said: "We want people to come here legally. And we like it when they come here speaking English."

He did not support the Obama administration's lawsuit challenging Arizona's hardline immigration law. And he said that he would veto the DREAM Act, which would have given legal status to some children of illegal immigrants.

Obama so far has vastly outspent Romney on Spanish-language television and radio. But Romney has released targeted TV and radio ads in Spanish, including some that feature one of Romney's sons, a fluent Spanish speaker.

Romney is set to leave Florida later Thursday en route to a three-day retreat with fundraisers in Utah.

Associated Press

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