Governor Mitt Romney continued his attacks on Mayor Rudy Giuliani on the topic of immigration today saying, “a sanctuary city policy draws more legal immigrants into the country, it’s wrong.” The swipe was in response to comments the former New York City mayor made in a Texas border town. Giuliani defended his immigration record and said that it was these policies that allowed him to dramatically reduce crime.

“The policies that I utilized with regard to illegal immigration were in the context of overall policies that probably were the most successful in the history of the country in creating an orderly, legal, lawful society.”

Giuliani welcomed immigrants of “undocumented status” to New York City when he was mayor, which allowed illegal immigrants access to city services such as schools, hospitals, and the ability to report crimes without fear of being arrested themselves.

Romney made a quick stop at a private air terminal in Seattle before addressing Microsoft employees and fundraising, both closed to the press. I asked the early state frontrunner what he thought of Giuliani defending his policies. His standard response was one heard often on the stump, “There are many cities in this country that have the rule of law, but do not have sanctuary status and I think when it comes to sanctuary cities the mayor is frankly on the wrong page.”

Later in the day the Romney campaign seized on Giuliani’s stance sending out a much stronger reaction from the former Massachusetts governor via e-mail, “Today’s statement by Mayor Giuliani that his sanctuary policies toward illegal aliens created an ‘orderly’ and ‘lawful’ society turns logic on its head. You don’t promote a lawful society by condoning illegality.” Several other e-mails from the campaign also were distributed promoting Romney’s immigration record and slamming Giuliani’s equation that his immigration policies lead to a safer New York City.

Immigration is a critical issue, especially with Republican voters, in the first caucus state of Iowa. Romney campaigns throughout the state tomorrow and Wednesday focusing on health care before the Thanksgiving holiday.