Immigration reduction advocate likes Tim Pawlenty

[pampango]

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0411/52378.html

In 2008, the executive director of the immigration reduction group NumbersUSA waged war on Sen. John McCain over his efforts to give illegal immigrants a pathway to citizenship. Now looking at a crowded field of 2012 hopefuls, Roy Beck says he's rooting for Tim Pawlenty.

“He’s the one guy who has not backed himself into a bad corner,” Beck said. “He has kept all of his good options open.”

NumbersUSA, which advocates stricter controls on both legal and illegal immigration, gives Pawlenty high marks for advocating the end of birthright citizenship and punishing business violators. It also applauds him for speaking out against amnesty, securing the borders and mandating the federal E-Verify system that determines eligible employment.

Against six other potential GOP rivals, Pawlenty leads a pack (with a C+) that has earned between grades varying from C- to D-. Beck says he has “high hopes” for Mitt Romney, but thinks he’s been backsliding (he earned a D grade).