Mitt Romney Says Obama's Uncle Should Be Deported

Mitt Romney stepped deep into the controversial politics of immigration Wednesday, telling a Boston-area talk radio host that President Obama’s Kenyan-born uncle should be deported.

Asked by Boston radio personality Howie Carr whether the president’s relative, Onyango Obama, should be deported, Romney said, "The answer is 'yes.'" The news was first reported Wednesday by ABC News.

"Well, if the laws of the United States say he should be deported, and I presume they do, then of course we should follow those laws," Romney said. "And the answer is 'yes.'"

Obama's uncle was arrested this fall on drunken driving charges in Massachusetts. He is, reportedly, in the country illegally.

This is the logical extension of Romney's position on immigration, which is that everyone in the country illegally should be sent back to their homes from which they can follow a legal path towards citizenship. But it also gets at what Newt Gingrich has hinted when offering a platform a touch more "humane," in his words. These are actual people, with relatives and connections inside their community. When you start talking about mass deportations, the politics gets incredibly complicated and touchy.

LISTEN to the audio of the radio interview. The relevant portion starts at minute 11.

Watch this at WRKO

[Hat Tip: ABC News]

The first paragraph of this article has been updated to better reflect Mitt Romney's statement.

Comments

[YEA BOY]

08:31 PM on 04/04/2012

MITT MAKE DEPORTING ILLEGALS ONE OF YOUR CAMPAIN ADD AND YOU WILL WIN BY A LAND SLIDE BUT FOLLOW THROUGH

[irt2ltee]

03:50 AM on 04/04/2012

what if he got into an accident and hurt somebody. Will Obama throw another one of those beer meetings.

[csmomo]

11:17 AM on 12/25/2011

So why and for what reason is the uncle NOT deported?

[jjordande]

12:21 PM on 12/25/2011

He's being treated as anyone other than a colored, [ Europeans, Russians, Asians, Middle Eastern, Indians- Non Amer.] person would be.
Provided Due Process that takes a long time to sort out with a high case load before immigration officials and ultimately the courts.

[pcs5141]

10:32 PM on 04/03/2012

Since 1992

[jjordande]

11:18 AM on 12/24/2011

The Modern American has no right to call anyone Illegal Immigrant.

Whites arrived illegally and stole the land from the Natives and broke any treaty or laws made with the Natives they sought fit. Therefore the original occupiers and their decendants are illegal immigrants.
Africans were brought to the "New World" absent a labor agreement forced in to illegal enslavement making them and their decendants illegal immigrants.

So... those calling someone an illegal immigrant are you an Native Indian?

[csmomo]

11:18 AM on 12/25/2011

Well, since I myself have a smattering of native American in my bloodlines, at least part of me can claim legal residence.

[jjordande]

12:05 PM on 12/25/2011

I say you stay. Republicans would treat you like the children of undocumented Mexicans and the like born in the USA and ship you away.

[pcs5141]

10:35 PM on 04/03/2012

That was before laws were passed concerning immigration.

[Josh Alberto]

05:21 AM on 12/23/2011

It is extremely helpful for me. would you mind updating your blog with more information
Canada Business Directory

[kennyhoff]

08:18 PM on 12/22/2011

He is here illegally. He should be deported. I'm not saying round up all the people that are in the country illegally, but if you break laws as egregious as drunken driving where so many lives are put at risk then you should be deported.

[Lois Salem]

10:00 PM on 12/22/2011

They should send thea unt back with the uncle. Neither one is productive.

[l78lancer]

10:40 PM on 12/22/2011

Your reasoning is exactly why either all should be deported or none. No matter how you state it, you are being selective about whom you deport. And what is it based on? Which country he comes from? How poor the other illegals were in their home country? Who they are related to? What kind of work they do?

If you eliminate the fact that he is related to Obama and you eliminate his color what is the difference between him and any other illegal? I live in an area where there is a very high number of illegals because of the availability of low-paying jobs. I have run across drunk drivers, prostitutes, thieves, fights and assaults, gangs, vandals, burgulars, individuals who have cause auto accidents, shoplifters, and the list goes on. Many of these individuals are NOT employed, and stand around on street corners, in the Home Depot parking lot, at the gas station, in groups of 30, 50 or more for day work. They often block access to the businesses. Most are Mexicans, but some come from other South and Central American countries (like the illegals who were working on Romney's home were from Equador whom he didn't bother to make sure were deported.)

[nq5511]

06:44 PM on 12/22/2011

Not that I know all facts of whether Obama's uncle should go or stay, yet I do know with ALL of our relatives, known or unknown, but one has an undesirable secret activity, then no one in America would qualify for ANYTHING and thus be guilty, if we were held accountable for their every action.

[aniHuffs]

06:34 PM on 12/22/2011

The man has been in the country for almost 50 years. He's more American than most of you commenting on this.

[Rebel78753]

04:34 PM on 12/22/2011

Deport my uncle please! He was born here, but I will personally testify to his ties to Al Queda!

[Fred Bronson]

03:18 PM on 12/22/2011

he is a drunk, what is it going to take to deport this person?? will he have to kill an American? will obama be held as an accessory when he does if obama stops he deportation?? what is it going to take to get the feds to protect us Americans
frederick bronson nc

[Manny Pinto]

03:15 PM on 12/22/2011

follow the law.If he is not here with legal status,than he must leave,Its not going to happen because of who he is,but if you are going to be here illegal,at least obay the law

[aniHuffs]

06:34 PM on 12/22/2011

Or, at least, learn the language... something I suggest you look into

[Manny Pinto]

07:51 PM on 12/22/2011

I need to lean my language?

[Jean Clink]

03:10 PM on 12/22/2011

I have known many good hard-working folks who have not been able to even cross the border into the US for fear that they and their American spouses would evade authorities and live illegally in the US, while thousands if not millions not only live in the States, but use the schools and hospitals. It is galling, really.

[IFany]

02:51 PM on 12/22/2011

Romney channeling Bull O;Connor

[IFany]

02:43 PM on 12/22/2011

I see the white citizens council here in mass sine their new Lester Maddox has spoken, not like hearing from them, I sure this is a bandwagon they love to ride on, It;s sure to make people know the good ole boys have not learned any new tricks, same old, same old. Romney playing to his most fervent supporters, bet today he counting all the good old boys vote he got with his Presidential like remarks, Well if you desperate enough go for the lowest common denominator, all class that guy. Must have been his Mormon upbringing and teachings.

[grandmaof9]

01:54 PM on 12/22/2011

OMG! We would have a President who would honor the law of the land! My vote is going to Mitt Romney. I am not a Morman. We need a President who is not a puppet and who has a back bone for not shying away from the rubbish paternal Marxist Socialist whimps. Romney should have been our President from 2008.

[nq5511]

06:48 PM on 12/22/2011

Re: Romney should have been our President from 2008.

Then Romney should have had the ability to win in spite of the odds.

[kennyhoff]

08:12 PM on 12/22/2011

This is only his position right now. Give it a few minutes and I'm sure he'll change it.

[pcs5141]

10:39 PM on 04/03/2012

Just like Obama.