Posted on 08/20/2011 1:32:05 PM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
ROCK HILL, SC -- Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) spoke for a few minutes to reporters here about his views on immigration, which have gotten him into some hot water with the conservative base he hopes to woo as his presidential campaign spools up. What he offered up was a little something for everyone.
Perry said states should be responsible for their own immigration laws, also stating that the federal government must step up border enforcement. He also spelled out his support for a national program that would allow illegal immigrants who serve in the military to become citizens.
Illegal immigration is, of course, a core issue among conservatives, who continue to reject any plan that allows existing illegal immigrants to become citizens as part of comprehensive immigration reform. In Texas, Perry has taken a number of positions on the issue at the state level that have ruffled feathers on the national anti-illegal immigrant right -- including advocating for and signing a Texas version of the DREAM Act.
He opposes the national DREAM Act debated in the last Congress.
But in South Carolina Saturday, he said he supported a main tenet of that bill -- that illegal immigrants can earn their citizenship by serving honorably in the military.
"I think there is a path to citizenship for those young men and women who have served their country," Perry said in response to a question from NachoFiesta blogger Sean Quinn. "That is a very unique set of individuals, and different than folks who have come here illegally and not given back in that particular way."
But on other controversial immigration laws, Perry said the states should be able to do what they wish.
"I am a big believer in the 10th Amendment," Perry said. He said "state by state, they need to make those decisions" about charging illegal immigrants in-state college tuition prices (as Perry has advocated in Texas) or passing laws like Arizona's SB 1070.
"I happen to believe with all my heart that the states would be best served by being able to be free to make these decisions themselves," Perry said. "I didn't think that for the state of Texas and Arizona-exact law was right for the state of Texas. I didn't want to make our law enforcement officers federal immigration officers. So, state by state ought to be the way to do that, not by the federal government making one size fits all."
But Perry said the federal government needs to lead the way in some areas of immigration, such as a national reform package.
"Once we secure the border, we can have a conversation about immigration reform in this country, but not until," he said. "You must have the federal government putting the resources, the boots on the ground, the aviation assets in the air, and secure that border so that we know that the border is secure before we have a conversation about any immigration reform."
Do you know what projection means? It means to attribute your own feelings or attitudes onto others. Ajnin stated that illegal aliens have no allegiance to the nation and have contempt for our cultures, our sovereignty and the rule of law. You accused him of projecting. He is a U.S. citizen and has served in the military. Thus, your statement about him projecting was ridiculous.
Giuliani could probably beat Obama as well, does that mean that conservatives should support Giuliani? I wouldn’t.
They broke the rules, but no one could argue that their motivations were anything but pure. Same for the 15 year old. Let’s assume for sake of argument there was no lying involved. How you ask? Well what if a kid is brought here @ 3, provided documents by his parents, and honestly believes he’s a citizen. At 18, with a HS diploma he enlists in the military using the documents provided by his parents and accepted by the government. He serves. Let’s add he wins medals of valor. Perhaps is wounded in the line of duty. At some point, it’s learned that he gained entry into the United States unlawfully. What would be the American way to treat him? BTW, I’m with you on excluding liars from expedited citizenship.
This sounds like it was taken right out of a La Raza discussion forum. How many illegal immigrants (even those who were brought here when they were 3) harbor the mistaken belief that they are U.S. citizens? 5? 10? The chances of what you're describing (the perfect storm, basically) is so unlikely that if it did occur, it could be turned into a made-for-TV movie. But I'll play with your hypothetical, just to amuse you. Yes, in those circumstances, I'd support giving the guy a green card, if you can prove that he genuinely didn't realize that he wasn't a U.S. citizen, and he served in combat.
Thanks. I figured the “news” would become more fully fleshed out after the headlines.
And this is why we want a conservative ascendancy NOT the same old, same old Marxist socialist programs that draw people, then trap and enlist them into the class warfare, “vote into my pocket” human rights army that the Left has been building.
THey have a questionaire, and it counts against you to have been homeschooled and not been in a “social system” context BS of bending over for everything.
REsult is the ranks are filling with a bunch of antisocial putz who get butt hurt at every legit promotion another is getting. Jealousy is a big problem now in the military... and f@gs now... sheesh.
Texas style dream act for starters. He’s also talking about “immigration reform” which is code for amnesty. Who is kidding whom.
I’m well aware what the 10th amendment is. So, you are guaranteeing that the illegals in texas getting a citizen’s education on the tapayer dime are going to stay in Texas, right? Also, any anchor babies they have will stay in Texas and never suck down a single, solitary federal dollar, right? No? Didn’t think so.
Next.
Illegal immigration should not be tolerated under any circumstances and should never, ever be rewarded.
I’ll say it again. Never allow illegals into the military and never reward illegals for anything.
Perry certainly isn't kidding. He's dead serious about fixing this mess that the Feds have wrought on the states.
“noob” is a put down. It’s a derivitive of “newbie” I’m guessing. It’s what freepers who have been on here longer than you toss out when their argument stinks.
Conceded my example is likely the exception not the rule. But at least we now have a point of agreement; specifically, it is not the status of the immigrant that is relevant rather it is the immigrants cognizance of that status. So the next step—and one where we disagree—is what to do with illegal/undocumented immigrants who grew up in the U.S., did no wrong other than existing here, and who sees him/herself as an unhyphanted American. Here I agree with the Perry position. Please don’t call me names.
Too true and quite a few RINOs, as well.
Welcome to Wonderland, Alice.
LOL!
Yeah, that worked out so well for Rome.
I have noticed that already too. That word communicates to me that the other person is out of logic and arguments and hasn't the humility to reconsider the validity of their own points in light of new information being supplied to them.
99.9% of all illegals present in this country know that they are here illegally. I'd be content with having the 99.9% that know they are here illegally leaving, with the remaining 0.1% allowed to stay. That means we'd go from 12 million to 12,000. I can live with that. I don't think you can, however.
What names did I call you? Methinks thou doth protest too much.
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