Former Massachusetts governor and current GOP presidential frontrunner Mitt Romney has vowed to veto the DREAM Act if he’s elected president.

“The question is, if I were elected and Congress were to pass the DREAM Act, would I veto it, and the answer is yes,” Romney told a group of voters in Le Mars, Iowa, during a campaign stop on Saturday. “For those that come here illegally, the idea of giving them in-state tuition credits or other special benefits, I find to be contrary to the idea of a nation of laws.”

Soon thereafter, the Internet flooded with condemnations from Latino and immigrant advocates. One such person, Frank Sharry, executive director of America’s Voice, said, “If he becomes the Republican nominee, Romney will find it virtually impossible to reach the 40 percent threshold among Latino voters that Republican candidates need to win the White House.” Sharry shares his position with plenty of others, especially Latinos, for whom Romney has made himself persona non grata.