Huckabee wants to suspend immigration from nations which are sponsors of terror Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee has called for suspending immigration from countries that sponsor or harbor terrorists. Campaigning in South Carolina, Huckabee sharpened his rhetoric on immigration and embraced a tougher measure than any of his rivals have so far. 'There's a couple of things we're going to do differently,' Huckabee told about 300 supporters in Rock Hill, shortly after arriving in the state from Michigan. 'I say we ought to put a hiatus on people who come in here ... if they come from countries that sponsor and harbor terrorists.' 'Let's say, until you get your act in order, and we get our act in order, we're not going to just let you keep coming and threaten the future and safety of America,' he said. 'Every one of the 19 hijackers on 9/11 came here legally. Our government welcomed them in,' Huckabee said. Huckabee didn't mention the proposal at his second stop, a rally of about 250 in Sumter. Afterward, his new senior adviser, Jim Pinkerton, backed away from the proposal, saying that Huckabee really meant that wants a 'thorough review' of immigration policies. Huckabee has been calling for a fence to seal off the U.S.-Mexico border for several months. Huckabee wanted to sound strong on illegal immigration in South Carolina, a state where the issue inflames GOP voters. Last month, he proposed to seal the Mexican border, hire more agents to patrol it and make illegal immigrants go home before they could apply to return to this country. It is tough talk for a man who, as Arkansas governor, took a more forgiving attitude toward some immigrants in the U.S. illegally, attempting to make children of illegal immigrants eligible for scholarships and in-state college tuition. |
Last updated January 30, 2008