Giuliani vows to “end illegal immigration”

During a campaign appearance yesterday in Iowa, presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani promised to “end illegal immigration.” The former New York City mayor made the statement as he unveiled his plan to control illegal immigration that would include expanding on Congress’ plans to build a barrier along the U.S.-Mexico border and creating a national database of all noncitizens.

Giuliani’s stance on immigration has attracted criticism, particularly from fellow candidate Mitt Romney who accused Giuliani of leading a “sanctuary city” for illegal immigrants during his time as mayor. While Romney has his own issues with flip-flopping over abortion he may be on to something with Giuliani’s immigration position:

“‘Some of the hardest-working and most productive people in this city are undocumented aliens,’ Giuliani said in 1994. ‘If you come here and you work hard and you happen to be in an undocumented status, you're one of the people who we want in this city.’

Two years later, when asked his view of a Suffolk County bill to make English the official language, he responded, ‘There's no reason to pass a bill like this, except maybe to exclude people, insult people or offend people.’”

Giuliani was opposed to a bipartisan Congressional compromise bill over immigration that has so far been defeated.

Sources- ABC News, Newsday, Guardian UK, Washington Blade, New York Daily News, The Latin Americanist

Image- El Diario/La Prensa