Mitt Romney dug his hardline positions in deeper on immigration during Monday's Republican presidential debate in South Carolina.
The GOP frontrunner rejected any solution for the 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the country that allows them to remain here. Romney said they must return to their homelands.
"I absolutely believe that those who come here illegally should not be given favoritism or a special route to becoming permanent residents or citizens that's not given to those people that have stayed in line legally," he said. "I just think we have to follow the law. I think that's the right course."
Republican rival Newt Gingrich has said he would support allowing some illegal residents who have lived in the country many years to remain here while they appealed for legal status.
Romney also reiterated his opposition to the DREAM Act. He said children of undocumented immigrants should not get breaks on college tuition. Texas Gov. Rick Perry signed a state version of the bill. Ron Paul and Rick Santorum oppose it.
"I've indicated I would veto the DREAM Act if provisions included in that act say that people who were here illegally, if they go to school here long enough, if they get a degree here, then they can become permanent residents," he said. "I think that's a mistake."
Find out where all the Republican candidates stand on immigration issues.
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