NALEO: Romney on Immigration

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An effective immigration system can also strengthen the economy as it has since the nation's founding.

Unfortunately.

Despite his promises.

President Obama has failed to address immigration reform.

For two years.

This president had huge majorities in the house and -- that he was free to pursue any policy please.

But he did nothing.

To advance a permanent fix for our broken immigration system.

Nothing.

Instead he failed to act until facing a tough reelection.

And trying to secure your vote.

Last week the president finally offered a temporary measure he call that a stop -- measure.

That he seems to think will be just enough to get -- to the election.

After three and a half years.

Putting every issue from loan guarantees.

To his donors.

To cash for clunkers.

Putting all those things before immigration now the president has been seized by an overwhelming need to do -- could have done on day one but didn't.

I think you deserve better.

Some people -- asked if I will let stand the president's executive order.

The answer is that I will put in place my -- long term solution.

That -- replaced and supersede the president's temporary measure.

As president I won't settle.

For stopgap measures.

I'll work with Republicans and Democrats.

To build a long term solution.

And -- prioritize measures.

Alex also -- this I've I will prioritize.

Efforts that strengthen legal immigration.

And make it more transparent and easier.

And I'm an address the problem of illegal immigration in a civil and resolute manner.

We may not always agree.

But when -- make a promise to you I will keep it.

Me let me speak about some of the guidelines that I will will we'll use him -- -- that policy.

And as you heard me say many times it's critical that we redouble our efforts to secure the borders.

That means both preventing illegal border crossings.

And making it harder to illegally -- -- of these.

We should feel -- -- Border Patrol agents complete a high tech fence and implement an improved X verification system.

Our immigration system should help promote strong families as well but keep them apart.

Our nation benefits for moms and dads -- the kids are all living together under the same roof.

But today too many families are caught in a broken system.

That cost -- time.

And money.

And tangles them in excess of red tape.

For those seeking to come to America the right way that kind of bureaucratic nightmare has to end.

And we could do this with just a few common sense reforms.

As president.

-- reallocate green cards to those seeking to keep their families.

Under one roof.

And will exempt from caps the spouses and minor children.

Of legal permanent residents.

And eliminate other forms of bureaucratic red tape that keep -- -- from coming together.

Immigration reform is not just a moral imperative.

It's -- -- -- economic necessity.

Immigrants with advanced degrees start companies.

Create jobs.

And they drive innovation at a very -- Immigrants founded.

Or co founded nearly half of our top fifty venture -- country companies in this country.

Nearly half.

There are nearly 30% more likely to start a business.

And that kind of risk taking is something we need more than ever because new business startups in America -- at 830 year low.

I'll work with -- states and employers to update our temporary worker visa program.

So that it meets our economic needs.

And if you get an advanced degree here we wanted to stay here.

So watch staple a green card to the diploma of some of -- gets an advanced degree in America.

We want the best and brightest.

To enrich the nations of the jobs and technologies they're gonna create.

Now we also a strong tradition in this country of honoring emigrants who join our military put their lives on the line to keep the country -- Since September 11 of 2001.

The United States is naturalized almost 75000.

Members of the armed forces.

Too many of those patriots died on distant battlefields for our freedom before receiving full citizenship here in the country they called all.

As president.

I will stand for a path to legal status for anyone who is willing to stand up and defend this great nation -- military service.

Those who have risked their lives in defense of America.

Have earned the right to make.

Their life in America.

But improving access to legal immigration is only one part of the equation.

We must also make legal immigration more attractive than illegal immigration.

So that people are rewarded for waiting patiently a lot.

That's why my administration will establish a strong employment verification system.

So that every business can know with confidence that the people -- hires are legally eligible for employment.

We can find common ground here.

That we've got to.

We -- it to ourselves as Americans to ensure that our country remains the land of opportunity.

Both for those who were born here and for those who share our values respect our laws and -- to come to our shores.

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NALEO: Romney on Immigration

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