Jan 11, 2012
Romney touts endorsement of SB 1070 architect
Arizona Democratic Party Chairman Andrei Cherny released the following statement in response to Mitt Romney receiving the endorsement of Kris Kobach, the architect of SB 1070:
"Mitt Romney will say anything on immigration as he flip-flops his way through the Republican primary. After favoring comprehensive reform, Romney is now embracing a philosophy that is not only cruel and extreme, but dangerous -- positions that would make him the most extreme Republican nominee on immigration in decades."
"Illegal immigration is a serious problem, and Arizona Democrats favor strong measures enforcing the law, expecially those that would crack down on the criminal smuggling rings. But the approach to immigration favored by Mitt Romney and Kris Kobach has made us less safe and only benefits those trying to divide us."
"Arizona is ready to embrace a mainstream agenda of real immigration reform and border security, and we're tired of seeing Romney play politics with such an important issue."
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
Kris Kobach, who helped write SB 1070, endorses Romney
Republican presidential frontrunner Mitt Romney on Wednesday announced the endorsement of Kris Kobach, the Kansas secretary of state who is better known in Arizona and in Latino communities for the legal assistance he gave former state Sen. Russell Pearce in writing Senate Bill 1070, Arizona's controversial 2010 immigration law.
The Romney news release on Kobach's support touts his work on Arizona's and Alabama's immigration laws.
“I’m so proud to earn Kris’s support,” Romney in a written statement. “Kris has been a true leader on securing our borders and stopping the flow of illegal immigration into this country. We need more conservative leaders like Kris willing to stand up for the rule of law. With Kris on the team, I look forward to working with him to take forceful steps to curtail illegal immigration and to support states like South Carolina and Arizona that are stepping forward to address this problem.”
Romney's announcement came shortly before state Reps. Ruben Gallego, D-Phoenix, and Anna Tovar, D-Tolleson, and other community leaders and activists were expected to gather in Phoenix to blast Romney for saying that as president he would veto the Dream Act, legislation that would that would grant legal permanent residency to individuals brought to this country illegally as children if they are attending college or serving in the military.
It also came on the same day that the Republican National Committee is set to announce an expanded national Latino outreach effort.
“With his campaign trumpeting Kris Kobach’s endorsement, Mitt Romney’s descent into the dark clutches of radical nativism is complete," said Frank Sharry, executive director of America's Voice, a national organization that supports comprehensive immigration reform. "In Kris Kobach’s America, kids who want to serve in the military and attend college are criminals, states should have the right to nullify federal immigration enforcement priorities, and undocumented immigrants who are hardworking and well-established, who take care of our kids, our elders, our food and our houses, are a plague to be banished. Romney’s embrace of this endorsement is nothing less than disgusting, and will not be forgotten by those who have felt the consequences of the Kobach approach to immigration first-hand.”
