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."
Mine was a statement of fact. This is a conservative forum and you Perry apologists want us to overlook/forget/ignore his very real record of advocating liberal positions. I just can't do that.
Does that make me worthy? I don't know. But I do know it makes me more in line with the fundamental reason this forum was created -- to promote "independent, grass-roots conservatism on the web". And I'll never stray from that goal, certainly not for Rick Perry.
You can only get ONE gold star.
I know you’re an over achiever and have bumped the thread so well you really deserve many, many more but only one GOLD star a thread can be given out to the most rabid anti-Perry poster per thread.
You’re going to be getting some competition for that GOLD star.
“An inscription on a French-supplied statue is not a legal document nor is it in any way an embodiment of the United States of America.
The only people I have ever heard refer to that poem in recent times have been Communists seeking to overwhelm and overthrow the United States with third-world refugees and fortune-seekers who do not share American values and culture.”
Exactly,Quality “Legal” immigrants Who came in through the system,built this place.
I have to say that I really like Perry’s boldness. He’s not afraid to address thorny issues. Given that you have very strong opinions on illegal immigration, who do you think would be the best candidate to lead on immigration reform?
The bigger question is why are they allowed in the military in the first place?
That might be inscribed on a statue up in new york city......but it damn sure isn't in the Constitution of the United States of America.
Beam me up:
Weak. Go back to stormfront.....
I am very much against illegal immigration. I’d find it hard to not support giving green cards to illegal immigrants that have served in combat, but how did these people get in the military in the first place? Didn’t they have to commit fraud to get in? Proferring fake identification documents in order to enlist in the military is a crime, isn’t it? Isn’t it, in fact, a crime more serious than the simple act of crossing the border? Why reward people for committing identify fraud? I think we need measures put in place that ensure illegal immigrants currently in the military get kicked out, and that illegal immigrants can no longer get into the military.
Do U.S. citizens from other states get in-state tuition at Texas universities? Not asking it rhetorically, I actually don’t know the answer. I’m generally against the idea of states giving in-state tuition to illegals (my state of New York does as well, I believe). I think it’s a state issue, however, so if the people of Texas don’t have a problem with Rick Perry granting in-state tuition to illegals, then that’s their choice.
It is beyond ridiculous for anyone to pretend that the border can ever be secured without may miles of double fencing and adequate.
Perry's babbling about enforcing the border with manpower is absurd because the government will never keep adequate BP or troops on the border 24/7/365.
Perry and Juan McCain are the same on the border: pretend to be for border enforcement and plan for amnesty at some later date.
“OK Obama ,we now fill the place with the third world!
Weak. Go back to stormfront.....”
Talking to yourself shaky??? WHAT the hell is wrong with America FOR AMERICANS??????????
I know all those things. I also know Mitt Perry is for open borders. I also know Mitt Perry is for educating ILLEGAL aliens. I also know that Mitt Perry endorsed a pro-abortiuon candidate in the 2008 presidential election. I also know that Mitt Perry took the same side as the Obama administration when he opposed Arizona attempting to protect itself from ILLEGAL aliens. I also know that Mitt Perry was for bypassing the Texas legislature and signed an EO hoping to force an unproven drug into the veins of young Texas girls. And I also know this is a CONSERVATIVE forum touted as "The premier online gathering place for independent, grass-roots conservatism on the web.
Regardless how vocal his supporters may get RINO MITT Perry is not a conservative.
Naw. I'm talking to you....a putz so stupid that she doesn't realize Perry is endorsing a program that has been in place for....decades.....
Amen, FRiend. I hope you noticed the /s. Rick Perry is a phony, but there are lots of dumb sheeple in the Pubble Party who are ready to hand him the nomination.
“Talking to yourself shaky??? WHAT the hell is wrong with America FOR AMERICANS??????????
Naw. I’m talking to you....a putz so stupid that she doesn’t realize Perry is endorsing a program that has been in place for....decades.....”
Coming from a Idiot who wants to give the country away,You have NO standing MR Nobody!
I do know the answer and NO they do not. In state tuition means you have to live in that state prior to attending the university. ILLEGAL aliens who do get the lower cost for tuition. US citizens from other states would not. So US citizens from other states would pay more than a criminal who entered this country ILLEGALLY. And Rick Perry is fine with that. Apparently, so are his supporters.
Perry is a phony and I'm always happy when I see others point that out. :-)
While you’re being so vocal in voicing your opinion of Rick Perry, how do you feel about Gov. Sarah Palin? A little context would help me understand your view better.
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