Here's what Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee said at the time of the public outrcy that defeated the McCain-Kennedy amnesty bill:

Mitt Romney, 6/28/07:
source: Mitt Romney's website press release archives at http://www.mittromney.com/News/Press-Releases/Romney_Immigration_Vote
"The immigration bill failed because the politicians in Washington are out of touch with the American people. The voice of the people is loud and clear - secure the border, enforce the law and no special deal for permanent residency or citizenship for illegals. America will always welcome legal immigration, but as a nation we also insist on the rule of law."

Mike Huckabee, 6/28/07:
source: Mike Huckabee's website press release archives at http://www.mikehuckabee.com/?FuseAction=Newsroom.PressRelease&ID=141
"I was pleased to see Congress recognize the will of the American people against this amnesty bill. Illegal immigration is a serious problem. Unfortunately, now we're hearing the excuse that politics will make immigration a dead issue until after the '08 election. Instead of shirking their responsibility, I urge the Administration and Congress to roll up their sleeves and spend the next year-and-a-half productively doing what the American people expect them to do - seal the border. It's not a political issue - it's a national security issue. If our government could just show competence on this threshold issue, the American people would feel more confident about moving forward on a national immigration policy."