“The next president and the next Congress need to make decisions about a legal immigration system that’s based on, first and foremost, protecting American workers and American wages,” Walker said in the interview. “We need to have that be at the forefront of our discussion going forward.”

The comments earned quick condemnations from Republicans worried about hurting the party’s chances with Latino voters, as 2012 nominee Mitt Romney did by endorsing “self-deportation” for illegal immigrants.

Walker said in the radio interview that his stance on immigration changed as he learned more from elected officials in border states.