The Trail

In a statement, Romney said that he had given the company a second chance a year ago, allowing it to continue work at his house in Massachusetts with the understanding that it would not employ undocumented workers.

His statement yesterday came after the Boston Globe presented evidence to the campaign that the lawn-care company employed illegal immigrants.

"The company's failure to comply with the law is disappointing and inexcusable, and I believe it is important I take this action," Romney said in the statement.

He also released a copy of the short letter of termination he sent to Ricardo Saenz of Community Lawn Service.

"Given your company's disregard for the clear instructions provided on this issue last year, I am forced to terminate my contract with your company, effective immediately," the letter stated. "My family will no longer utilize your services and all scheduled visits are cancelled as of today. I am disappointed that our relationship must end on this note, but we simply cannot tolerate your inability to ensure that your employees are legally permitted to work in the United States."

The decision highlights a key issue in the Republican presidential nominating contest, and a particular concern for Romney, who has been battling former New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani over their immigration records for weeks.

Giuliani was particularly harsh during last week's YouTube-CNN debate, when he berated Romney for having employed illegal immigrants. Romney said he never knowingly hired illegal immigrants, but instead hired a company that was later found to have been employing undocumented workers.

What Romney did not say was that he had given the company a second chance.

-- Michael D. Shear