Movin' our way: Giuliani and Romney toughen up on immigration, but both still have problems ...(2008 II)(Rudolph Giuliani and Mitt Romney)

THE debate over immigration reform didn't end with the Senate defeat of President Bush's comprehensive plan. Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney are now touting their support for tough enforcement measures--while charging each other with having been lax on illegal immigration in the past. Their opposition to the Senate bill he championed prompted Sen. Mel Martinez (R., Fla.), the general chairman of the RNC, to scold them for not "leading on the tough issues." But it's tough to lead without followers, and the public clearly doesn't want to follow politicians heading down the path to amnesty.

Senator Martinez's stubborn support for a comprehensive reform that includes amnesty for illegal immigrants is at odds with a large majority of his party and its elected officials. Most Republican senators voted to block the reform he defends and a majority of House Republicans also rejected the plan. The Bush administration's new enforcement initiatives and the tough talk of GOP presidential contenders are clearly concessions to the public opinion that sank the Senate reform. Martinez praises John McCain as "courageous" for defying the will of the voters, but there is no virtue in dismissing informed, pragmatic public sentiment.

Recent polling by Rasmussen Reports finds broad support for cracking down on illegal immigration. The public thinks a reduction in illegal immigration should be the primary goal of reform, and only 16 percent believe the Senate legislation would achieve that goal. Only 28 percent think that legalizing the status of illegal aliens is very important, and only 12 percent think the federal government is doing enough to reduce illegal immigration.

Meanwhile, proposals to cut off federal funds to "sanctuary cities"--jurisdictions that refuse to enforce immigration laws--enjoy majority support. Three-quarters of Republicans back these measures. Given the overwhelming Republican sentiment so evident on the campaign trail, Romney has been blasting sanctuary policies; for his part, Giuliani pledges to end illegal immigration, and says he would require foreign visitors to carry ID cards. Both favor beefed-up border enforcement. Neither opposed last year's comprehensive immigration reform--but both objected to this year's version.

The top contenders' criticisms of each other have focused on their past positions. As mayor of New York, Giuliani defended his city's sanctuary policies--and candidate Giuliani makes no apologies for his unwillingness to enforce immigration laws against an illegal population of about 400,000 during his tenure. He argues that discouraging illegal aliens from reporting crimes, getting medical attention, or sending their children to school would have a negative effect on public health and safety.

As mayor, Giuliani also opposed denying non-emergency welfare benefits to illegal aliens. Although he now pledges to end illegal immigration, as recently as a year ago he was claiming that illegal aliens "are not really doing any damage to our society, might even be making vast contributions to it," and counseling that we "don't try to legislate against the inevitable forces of, you know, social movement and the economy because it isn't going to work." He still favors legalizing illegal aliens who would "go to the back of the line" before achieving citizenship.

When Romney criticized New York's sanctuary policies, Giuliani pointed out that Romney, as governor of Massachusetts, took no action against some "sanctuary cities" in his own state. Romney did veto a plan to allow in-state tuition for illegal aliens, opposed granting the illegals drivers' licenses, and encouraged state troopers to enforce immigration laws; ...