One week after a political rival called his Belmont, Mass. home a "Sanctuary Mansion" for illegal immigrants, Mitt Romney fired his landscaping company after more illegal workers were found on the payroll.
NewsCenter 5 in Boston reported that Romney's signature issue has been illegal immigration, but critics say this latest revelation points to more than hypocrisy or exploitation.
"I think it's very damaging because it undermines the whole rational for his candidacy, undermines his image as a hands-on executive. If he can't manage his lawn, how can he manage the federal government?" asked Republican political analyst Todd Domke.
"That company was instructed to make sure that everyone working for them was of lawful status. When we learned that was not the case, the company was fired," said Romney spokesman Eric Ferhnstrom.
But the owner of the company received the termination letter Tuesday night only after Romney learned the Boston Globe was about to report that illegal immigrants were still working at his Belmont home. The owner told NewsCenter 5's Jorge Quiroga that he was never told by Romney to only hire legal workers.
"My guys are legal. He never asked me nothing about the guys," said Ricardo Saenz, Romney's former landscape contractor.
Romney already has been called to task on the issue.
"I think it's admirable the governor gave the company a second chance," Ferhnstrom said.