Romney says debate showed contrast between himself and McCain on immigration

BEDFORD, N.H. -- Mitt Romney told reporters in New Hampshire this morning that last night’s debate showed a “stark contrast” between himself and John McCain on immigration.

“I consider him a friend and he is a great Senator,” Romney said. “He has been wrong on this key issue.”

When pressed more about what exactly he would do with the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants already in the country, Romney said he would work to enforce current immigration laws and have verifiable legal papers that would make it hard for illegals to find work and eventually go back their countries.

It would take time for this to work, he said, but it was compassionate.

McCain has said that Romney's stance amounts to allowing the status quo to continue, and thus is itself a form of amnesty for illegal immigrants.