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."
This is what ancient Rome did. Sure didn’t work out for them, did it?
The thing about it is the military are recruiting illegals into the military...not fresh off the border but have been in the states attending schools for years. It is a path to citizenship. Do I agree...if the military does it right...then yes. IF not...then it is a bad idea.
I'm sorry, I didn't know I was posting to a lunatic......get help.
PANDERING
I usually don't engage your type and I see no reason to change that now. Bye.
“The DREAM act envisions allowing illegals to serve and afterwards be awarded citizenship”
And why is this a bad idea? An “illegal” serving in the military has more social utility than a “citizen” living on welfare. This pathological bile spewing toward illegals is lunacy. Should a child brought illegally into this country @ 5 be judged by his status or his value to this country? It’s one thing to rail against deadbeats, quite another to lump those with negative social utility with those whose social contribution exceeds that of native born. Pathetic
I haven't made up my mind yet as far as candidates, you have. I do know trolling when I see it......so.....I'll look forward to seeing your drivel on the next Perry thread.
Perry is similar to Bush on many levels except one; Bush managed to get elected. Pro-ILLEGAL alien, pro-open borders, pro-Dream Act RINO Rick never will.
But illegals are being recruited...there was one kid that died in Iraq who was a marine and was an illegal. I have no idea how it happened...
Identity theft and document fraud. The military recruiters are often complicit.
HA HA HA...
Not sure, but I think its legal to join the military from your home country.
I believe it’s ok for legal immigrants to join our military. I can’t imagine how an illegal could join our military. It takes a mountain of paperwork that illegals wouldn’t have access to. I can’t see how an illegal could get a security clearance for the military.
I didn't won't to say it but this is exactly right. I am from a military family with 4 members army active career soldiers.
And why is this a bad idea? Yeah it is a bad idea. Illegal aliens have no allegiance to this nation. They have nothing but contempt for our culture, soverignty and the rule of law. These people are criminals and you do not reward criminals.
Yep, with zero allegiance to the country/principles they're supposedly serving... pretty much like Mordor-on-the-Potomac.
The "Oath" is now just a meaningless procedure to get paid, and then some.
“Most white bread kids today are brainwashed into thinking military = Marines, which is why so few volunteer.”
From what part of your derrier did you pull this fantastic piece of fluff?
Sad to say, it will probably trick hispanics ~ but no one else.
Just want to go on the record as being against having aliens, legal or illegal, in our military- ever- period . Worst idea ever.
Among the most fundamental duties of the U.S. government is to secure its borders and regulate immigration and nationalization under law. That is right there in black and white in Art. 1 Sec. 8 of the document that you swore an oath to defend and protect.
How dare you claim the moral authority of fighting for that document as a reason to shred it!
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