Romney, Obama push for Latino vote in Orlando

By Amanda Evans, Reporter
Last Updated: Thursday, June 21, 2012, 1:54 PM
ORLANDO -- 

 Republican Mitt Romney tried to woo the nation's top Latino officials Thursday at a national conference in Orlando. President Obama will do the same Friday.

Both of the two top presidential candidates are speaking during the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) conference, happening in Orlando over the next two days.

The current hot topic, particularly with NALEO, is immigration, especially after the president recently announced a big policy shift on the issue.

Last week, Obama announced that the U.S. will no longer deport illegal immigrants under the age of 30 -- if they meet certain qualifications.

Speaking at the NALEO conference Thursday, Romney promised a more permanent solution to Obama's "stop-gap measure."

"I will work with Republicans and Democrats to find a long-term solution," Romney said. "I will prioritize measures that strengthen legal immigration and make it easier. And I will address the problem of illegal immigration in a civil but resolute manner. We may not always agree, but when I make a promise to you, I will keep it."

When Romney, the presumptive GOP nominee, was asked about the new policy that same day, said that will make it more difficult to reach a long-term solution.

"It should be solved on a long-term basis, so they'll know what their future will be in this country," he said.

Romney has not said if he would repeal the president's policy, only that he would go beyond it with a more permanent measure.

He also promised to finish the 2,000-mile border fence to help stem illegal immigration.

There are more than 1.4 million Hispanic registered voters in Florida, and a big chunk of that voting power is in Central Florida.

Florida Decides - Latest Election News