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."
Why would we want to give military training to non-citizens?
And you said. "It's been around since I was in the military.....40 years or so ago."
So has abortion. According to your warped logic we should accept that also.
As I said, I usually ignore people like you but I couldn't resist, you just made it so easy! :-)
Flame away if you think it makes the case for RINO Rick. But here's a tip -- calling others 'stupid' only makes you look stupid. Really...it does.
Uhhhhh, I looked at the recruiting demographics...? Hows the recruiting for personnel going on the East and West coast? Oh that's right, many liberal universities don't allow recruiters on campus. Hit me with some facts noob and then we'll talk.....
So, smart guy, how do the illegals get into the military?
No. You’re entotled to your opinion. I just thought you were either joking or a lefty posing as a Freeper to make conservatives look foolish.
Immigration, YES. Not people that have come in illegally though.
“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.”
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,206120,00.html
What the heck are you babbling about? Perry is supporting a program that has been in place for decades. It's not like this just appeared out of thin air. As for abortion, nice try, but has zip to do with this thread.
Ever since the Social Wars it had been Roman policy to accept conquered people into Roman society and the military on the basis of equality.
That's why Rome won the Social Wars and everybody else lost!
..used to be if you falsified enlistment papers you went to jail.
They use identity theft and document fraud and they often get help from the recruiters.
He didn't say anything of the sort.
Why would you make such an evil and false accusation against a U.S. Marine?
Coming from an open borders and amnesty for illegals politician, this is certainly no surprise. At least he is consistently a RINO, gotta give him that.
I'm well aware what RINO Rick is supporting; he's supporting granting a path to citizenship to ILLEGAL aliens who serve in the military. I disagree with that position. We should give nothing to ILLEGAL aliens.. Get it? Nothing.
And my analogy to abortion would have been easily understood by any thinking person. Sorry it has escaped you.
Exactly. RINO Rick has got these people fooled to the point that they're espousing his liberal viewpoints as if they were something to be proud of. Just read this thread and you will see they have no clue why anyone would or should be against this.
Unless you and Ajnin are posting from the same basement, I'm sure a former Marine doesn't need help from a noob lunatic....
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