So, this story happened in Texas? IIRC, it was the federal judiciary that ruled states have to give illegals free stuff. You can argue that giving illegals who live in Texas in state tuition is wrong and I would agree but giving illegals welfare, free ER medical care, SNAP, schooling for their kids, etc. is not up to Perry. It is a federal mandate.
Perry capitulated on the stuff he did have control over. A big item was his financial incentive to keep the invaders coming over and stealing limited college slots from Americans. Those families drug along a whole bunch of other freeloader invaders.
If you want to give him a pass, give him a pass. The rest of the country won’t, which is why he has plummeted in popularity with primary voters.