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."
Many Italian immigrants came here to escape serving under Mussolini and served in the US Army to gain citizenship.
I have absolutely no problem with this for people of any nationality.
You really stepped in it.
Welcome to FR.
Pro-open borders, pro-Dream ACT, pro-ILLEGAL alien Rick Perry is for amnesty also and his supporting this POS idea proves it.
*******************
The 2001 TEXAS Dream Act was passed by 100% of the Texas Senate:
"It’s important to point out that there is a huge difference in the TEXAS Dream Act and the The Dream Act that was pushed in Congress and failed. The Dream Act in Congress was full of all kinds of goodies other than allowing children of illegals to receive in state tuition. The Texas Dream Act was focused only on that. I happen to agree with The Texas Dream Act, and so did everyone in the Senate in Texas. It passed with ZERO “no” votes. Add to that, it has been proven to be successful.
These are a few things you need to know about the [2001] Texas Dream Act. The child has to have lived in Texas the three years leading up to high school graduation. These students are given no special treatment in getting into Texas colleges and universities. They must get in on their own merit. They are paying the tuition (with or without financial aid). It’s estimated that these students make up about 1% of those entering college.
[snip]
Most of us agree that border control MUST be dealt with first. The problem with all other efforts on this issue in the past is that the borders were not sealed. If there is anyone who we can trust to do that it is Gov. Perry (if he decides to run for President). He knows what goes on down at the border. He has gone there many times. He knows what needs to be done. There is no doubt in my mind that if he were President, he would seal our borders. But Perry also understands Hispanic outreach." Source
“Illegal aliens have no allegiance to this nation. They have nothing but contempt for our culture, soverignty and the rule of law...”
I think you’re projecting.
Why would I “hit you with facts” when you made a silly assertion based on looking “at the recruiting demographics.” To what demographic source did you look? I will gladly agree with your assertion if you can point out how the demographics suppport it. Perhaps you’re paraprasing an article you read. Is “noob” a put down?
Just confirming what he surely already suspects, that you are a person who is very upset that his preferred usernames “LyingSlanderingTraitor” and “BenedictArnold” were already taken.
Perry calls idea of U.S.-Mexico border wall ‘ridiculous’
And he is correct.
It's hard to know if you are a racist, a bigot, a neo-nazi skinhead, a Ron Paul supporter or just a garden variety, hater of non-whites - or perhaps all of the above.
You might check the Statue of Liberty that overlooks Ellis Island. It bears this inscription:
"Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
In addition to excluding immigrants from Mexico,
which you have categorized here as trash, which
other categories do you hate or consider human trash?
The poor?
The tired?
Any huddled masses from any other country or race?
The homeless?
Those in communist countries that yearn to breath free?
What’s the problem, you afraid they’re going to deport you?
I have no affiliation with Sarh Palin nor am I one of her supporters; she lost me when she endorsed Juan McCain. Are you really so simple-minded that you think all who oppose RINO Rick are doing so because they support Sarah Palin? Yes...I can see that you are. lol!
Foreign Nationals can and do serve in the US Military...Phillipinos have done so for decades.
But illegal aliens?? I cannot imagine how you would ever get past the recruiting station if you did not have valid citizenship, and who would be stupid enough to try??
Straw man...
I know. They needed a "cause" since they've been so bummed out by Perry's success on the campaign trail. LOL.. It's good for them rant until exhausted, then they'll get a good nights sleep.
Currently a entering this nation illegally is not (but should be) a felony. Felonies comitted by stupid teens are still felonies.
Because FR works when people link their proof.
To what demographic source did you look? I will gladly agree with your assertion if you can point out how the demographics suppport it.
I'm not here to hold your hand, look them up yourself.
Is “noob” a put down?
Yes.
No, that would be you.
You post a piece that I would have loved to have posted had I found it first. And you say I stepped in it? lol!
You make a good great Perry supporter! /s
Thank you. That is very gracious of you.
yeah,really....in 1978 i had to provide my ss card,birth certificate,drivers license,they did a background check,i was 17,so mom had to sign me in....what the hell.
You just describe President Obama and the entire Democratic Congressional membership.
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