Former Colorado Congressman Tom Tancredo never got about 1 percent in the polls here and dropped out of the Republican race before the Iowa caucus could render its verdict.

   But GOP candidate Mitt Romney brought Tancredo back to the campaign as aides believe immigration and John McCain's unapologetic support for letting undocumented aliens become permanent citizens is cutting with an important bloc of voters.

  ``I want voters to understand that John McCain didn't just fail to solve the problem of illegal immigration, he is part of the problem,'' Tancredo said during a telephone interview Saturday.

    ``This issue cuts across every major domestic challenge America faces and John McCain's solution amounts to amnesty.''

     McCain repeated Saturday that his top priority is securing the border and he would not pursue any further reform until border state governors certify there are no leaks in the illegal immigration net.

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