Romney Asked Four Times If He’ll Get Rid of Deferred Action, No Clear Answer

Romney first criticized President Obama for failing to pass immigration reform and then went on pledge to pass immigration himself but evaded the question.

By Jorge Rivas Sep 20, 2012

At a forum focused on Latino issues hosted by Univison on Wednesday, GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney avoided answering what he would do with the Deferred Action program if elected President. Anchor Maria Elena Salinas pressed Romney four different times for more details on what his plans are for the program that would help young people avoid deportation but there was no clear answer. "One of the questions more frequently asked by Facebook users is whether you would keep Deferred Action for undocumented, yes or no?", asked Salinas. Romney first criticized President Obama for failing to pass immigration reform and then went on pledge to pass immigration himself but evaded the question. "But talking specifically about Deferred Action," Salinas began to ask before Romney jumped in, but again there was no clear answer. "For those who are already here and that are undocumented and were brought here by their parents and are therefore illegal aliens in this country, my view is that we should put in place a permanent solution," Romney said about the [more than 1-million young undocumented immigrants who are eligible for "Deferred Action.](http://www.pewhispanic.org/2012/08/14/up-to-1-7-million-unauthorized-immigrant-youth-may-benefit-from-new-deportation-rules/)" Salinas went on to try to get an answer again: "But will all do respect, your reluctance to provide details on a permanent solution has created, maybe, a perception that you are evading the question, what would you tell Hispanic voters right now if they’re actually interested in this important issue, and all the DREAMers that want to know if you’ll deport them or not." Romney went on to say he opposes deporting the estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants in the country, but avoided providing any details about his plans with Deferred Action. Salinas tried to get a more detailed once again but there was no clear answer for Romney’s plans with the Deferred Action program. Romney did say he supports initiatives like the one Florida Senator Marco Rubio considered that would provide a pathway to permanent resident status for undocumented immigrants who pursue military service. Romney did not provide details about on what he’d propose for undocumented immigrants seeking college degrees.