Giuliani visits Sun City Hilton Head, talks illegal immigration

Sun City Hilton Head residents got face-time with Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani Friday morning, and while his talking points focused primarily on the economy, Sun City attendees seemed most interested in his immigration policy.

Illegal immigration, Giuliani said, needs to be stopped "right at the border."

He supports building a fence along America's 2,000-mile border with Mexico and said he would use technology -- cameras as well as heat and motion detection equipment -- to "change behavior" and encourage people to come into the country legally instead.

"Legal immigration is good for us," he said.

Giuliani said he would not support a Constitutional amendment to prevent children of illegal immigrants from becoming citizens, although he would

require applicants for citizenship to take a test proving they can speak, read and write in English.

Sun City resident Norm Solon, who said he will be voting for Giuliani, said he was particularly happy with the candidate's answer to a question he raised on Middle East policy.

Giuliani said Palestinian leaders must formally state that Israel has a right to exist before negotiations between the two can truly take place.

Another foreign policy priority, Giuliani said, is preventing Iran from becoming a nuclear power. He criticized his Democratic rivals, some of whom have called for negotiation with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

He also criticized Democratic plans for government-mandated health care, saying a market-based approach to buying insurance would be the most effective way to drive costs down.

The health care crisis, he said, could not be fixed "by the government taking over."

About 500 people attended the event, which was held at the Sun City Pavilion, a Giuliani campaign spokesman said.

Rudy Giuliani on illegal immigration


Rudy Giuliani on economics


Rudy Giuliani on terrorism and Iran