Barack Obama’s endorsement of legislation that would have made some illegal immigrants eligible for the state’s need-based aid program and for fee waivers provided to low-income students at community colleges apparently wasn’t enough to sway California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The Democratic presidential contender had said killing the measure would drive “thousands of children who are on the right path into the shadows.” But Mr. Schwarzenegger, a Republican, vetoed the bill, SB 1, on Saturday. In his veto message, the governor said it was not “prudent” to provide illegal immigrants with a new benefit even as public colleges across the state raise student fees.

Elsewhere on the campaign trail this weekend, Republican candidate Mitt Romney told an audience in Michigan he would favor providing more seasonal visas to foreign workers in industries such as agriculture and tourism. Mr. Romney has previously said that the immigration system should be overhauled in order to recruit and retain skilled workers and to attract the brightest students and academics to American universities.