GOP candidate Mitt Romney pledged Saturday to veto any effort by Congress to create a path to citizenship for young adults in the United States illegally.

Romney’s declaration was not out of step with previous statements he has made about the issue, but it appeared to be the first time the candidate directly said he would veto a congressionally-backed effort.

“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 said in response to a query from the audience of roughly 200 at The Family Table in Le Mars.

The DREAM Act would offer a path to citizenship for minors in the country illegally, providing they served in the armed forces or attended college.

The initiative has not gained enough support to pass Congress despite several attempts.

Romney said Saturday he would support a path to residency – not citizenship – for those who served in the military, but would not support other DREAM Act proposals.

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