Washington (CNN) – New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said he agrees with Texas Gov. Rick Perry's recent statements on immigration and he believes former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's views on the same points are "wrong."
"I don't agree with Perry on other things, but on this one he's right," Bloomberg told CNN Chief National Correspondent John King Wednesday in an interview that will air exclusively on CNN's "John King, USA."
The New York mayor, an independent, said he agreed with Perry regarding two facets of the immigration debate: opposing the building of a fence along the Texas-Mexico border as a way to restrict entry by illegal immigrants, and providing in-state college tuition for the children of illegal immigrants.
When asked about Perry losing ground as the front-runner in the race for the GOP presidential nomination because of his views on immigration, Bloomberg noted that the debate is still unfolding as more constituencies and states come into the mix.
"I think you've got to differentiate between what may be good politics within the beginning of a primary race as opposed to what happens when the bigger states get involved in the primary race or what happens in a general election."
"The bottom line is Romney is wrong on this one." Bloomberg said. "This is the future of America."
When considering immigration policies, Bloomberg said he believes candidates ought to be thinking about "what's right for the country, even if it doesn't help or hurt your career."
Tune in at 7pm ET for the full interview on John King, USA
Just watched John King suck up to Michael Bloomberg who believes that an elected politician, (i.e. Governor, President, etc., etc).can dictate to citizens. (vaccinations) Bloomberg, and others of his ilk, think that somebody should just be able to wave a wand and declare a "class" of people, who have broken the law, now penalty-free. I am ALL FOR legal immigration, otherwise, I wouldn't be here. For someone like Gov. Perry to use his office to reward "bad behavior" and then try to put a moral spin on it is nauseating. I have, again, been reminded why I seldom watch CNN.
John thanks for the good work u doing out there. I just want to use this medium appeal to you to kindly appeal to the powers that be of USA to stop playing politics. I forsee a crumbling US where the center no longer holds. US could fall apart as it seems to be living on past glories. Personal and selfish interest apart, let them move the country forward as past leaders have done. Thanks
Spoken as an American for Americans–
"There is a way to stop illegal
immigration without high costs. It is to make them want to deport
themselves. Right now the U.S. is welcoming them with open arms and
wallets. Why not try to come here? There are legal citizens that
are taking up their cause. What do they have to lose?
In a time when there is less for
American citizens (fewer government program, disappearing school
programs, lower education quality, classroom overcrowding, just to
name a few), why are we helping people to come to our country to make
those problems worse?
1. Declare that there will never again
be illegal immigration amnesty. The first one was a mistake that
lead to 4 to 5 times the number of illegals. Give them six months to
get out, no questions asked.
2. After that six months anyone caught
here, regardless of the age, will be banned forever. No future
citizenship, no legal immigration, not even a vacation visa. The
exception to this would be those here committing other crimes,
including identity theft.
3. Those caught again that are 18+ will
be given at least 5 years in prison. Those under 18 will be sent
back to the parents’ country of origin for state foster care.
4. Add up how much the U.S. tax payer
gave each illegal deported or incarcerated and bill the country of
origin. The countries that do not want to pay, no more foreign aid,
even when faced with catastrophe.
5. CORRECTLY interpret the 14th
Amendment. Illegal immigration was not a problem in 1868. What was
a problem were the newly freed American slaves brought here or born
to other American slaves because slavery was once legal here. This
amendment was to give the slaves their legal rights, not to grant
citizens to an illegal border jumper who just stuck the American
people with their birthing bill.
6. Enforce laws against hiring
illegals. Once it is shown that business owners are going to jail
for that, you can be sure that most will not take a chance on hiring
illegals. If there are fewer jobs for illegals, they are less likely
to be here.
Illegal immigration will always be a
problem, but for it to be at this level is intorlerable. I believe
that by taking those LOGICAL steps we can join the rest of the
civilized world in putting our own citizens first, before illegals."