Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee who’s long been critical of “amnesty” proposals like the DREAM Act, praised Romney’s plan this week, saying it was “right to recognize that immigration reform needs to be geared towards bolstering our economy and job creation.”…

But the Texas conservative made no mention of Romney’s proposal to extend permanent residency to qualified illegal immigrant students and forge a pathway to citizenship for those who join the military. The latter provision goes even a step further than Obama’s executive directive, which does not include the possibility of citizenship…

Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa), among Congress’s most vocal opponents of illegal immigrant rights, was also notably uncritical of Romney’s plan, telling The Wall Street Journal that he’s happy to see Romney advocating for tougher enforcement policies at the border. While King said he has questions about some parts of the plan, according to the Journal, he also expressed confidence that Romney is “committed to the rule of law.”