Romney Opposes NH "Sanctuary State" Bill

Last week in Londonderry, Mitt Romney voiced his opposition to a bill introduced by Manchester State Representative Lily Mesa. Critics of Mesa's bill label argue that it would make New Hampshire into a "Sanctuary State" because the bill would not allow local and state police from arresting anyone whose only offense is the "violation of federal immigration laws." In the Londonderry, Romney said the bill was "the wrong way to go." The following quote was provided by the Romney campaign:

And the next thing he said was, 'Sanctuary cities.' Have you noticed there are cities that call themselves sanctuary cities that say, 'We're not going to enforce the federal law. We're not going to report people who are here illegally. We'll give city services without telling the federal government.' Think what kind of a message that sends to people in other countries. Here, there are these cities where you can go and they won't enforce the law. And actually, there's a bill that's been filed here in New Hampshire, you may have heard about it from a senator I believe from Manchester, whose idea is to make New Hampshire a sanctuary state, saying that law enforcement personnel in this state can't refer information about illegal aliens on to the federal government. That's the wrong way to go. We need to enforce the law, not to avoid the law."