GOP sparks fly over illegal immigration

Giuliani, Romney exchange heated 'sanctuary' barbs

By Liz Sidoti

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Republican presidential rivals Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney scornfully debated immigration Wednesday in a provocative CNN/YouTube debate just over a month before the first votes are cast.

Giuliani, the front-runner in national polls, accused Romney of employing illegal immigrants at his home and running a "sanctuary mansion."

The testy personal exchange came after Romney said Giuliani had retained New York's status as a sanctuary city while he was mayor.

Romney said it would "not be American" to check the papers of workers employed by a contractor simply because they have a "funny accent." He had landscapers at his Belmont, Mass., home who turned out to be in the country illegally.

Giuliani called Romney's attitude "holier than thou. Mitt usually criticizes people when he usually has the far worse record," Giuliani said.

But the audience booed Giuliani as he tried to persist in his criticism of Romney.