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."
It's indefensible and full-out pandering
I’m in favor of this as long as we do it like the Romans. Serve 20 years. Become a Citizen.
I think someone just wants this thread to die....lol.
Yes, I believe you are correct. You and I were talking past each other......you make many valid points. Welcome to FR (baptism of fire...;)
The more I see of what he seems to think on this issue, the more I believe he is not a candidate we should support. W (and yes, I supported him) almost destroyed the GOP coalition over this issue, I don't want another pandering Texan who will finish the job.
It takes a green card to get into the US military.....you said all the "illegals" you served with were gang bangers.....are they illegal or not? Try to be consistent.
Are greencard immigrants illegal?
Sorry, my mistake
I have been consistent, you are obviously confused.
Perry's squishiness? Enlighten us. Which candidate currently running shares your views on the border situation.
I'm sure he will be giving a lot of information for you to go over. But it's pointless to keep plowing the same row now. Currently, I have more confidence than you in his ability to work this problem.
No. You said every illegal you served with in the Marines were gangbangers.....
To: ScreamingFist
Hello, my name is Juan. I have just come up from Mexico to your country. I have no skills, but I am strong and young. If you let me enter your armed forces, teach me discipline and your ways, I will fight for you. I ask only for citizenship, should I survive.”
Bwahahaha! I served with illegal aliens in the Marine Corps and they were gangbanging POS that had absolutely no allegiance the US. Illegals join the military to use it as their own personal welfare program, the possibilty of getting killed in combat has no impact on their loytaly to Mexico.
Just ask Oscar Ortiz.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,206120,00.html
93 posted on Saturday, August 20, 2011 4:49:05 PM by Ajnin (Neca eos omnes. Deus suos agnocet!)
I take it you haven't read what Perry said. Do you think it's okay to have illegals in the military and give them citizenship? Well, apparently he does. Maybe that doesn't upset you, but it does upset most conservatives and well it should.
If that isn't just squishy, but downright panderociously wrong, then nothing is.
Heck, maybe he can continue the Bambi policy of of allowing illegals to stay through executive order. I mean, why not?
Okay, now go ahead, defend what he said. I'll be waiting.
Sounds like one another one of those compassionate conservatives from Texas.
A "green card", otherwise known as a LAPR card or I-551 is a document carried by LEGAL aliens allowed into the United States for permanent residence. They are called green cards because that's the color of paper the LAPR cards used to be printed on.
Currently, you're right. So far his record on illegals is suspect, and what he just said about illegals in the military is just plain wrong.
Perhaps you could get him to retract that. Most conservatives and the vast majority of us on FR would appreciate that.
If this was such a big flub, why isn’t the media making a big deal about it?
Have we gotten the entire story?
You're about 300 replies behind shark. Green card immigrants have been serving in the US military for decades. Perry supports this, as do I.
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