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."
Perry has a whole 'nother idea about lowering education costs and increasing quality.
Well, I never guessed that someone on FR named after a bag of snack food was so important and knowledgeable. What part of "decades" is confusing you? Link us up to your stormfront page and let's clear the air......
How can someone who broke our laws to come here and continue to spit in our eye serve HONORABLY ANYTHING????
And if pretending the border could be enforced with personnel alone were not foolish enough on the surface, if it were ever seriously attempted, the day another open borders president of either party was inaugurated, those personnel could be removed from the border on the new president’s order.
It’s nothing but a ruse to propose border security without more permanent and more effective means such as double fencing along with adequate personnel, things that can’t be easily removed by the next open borders president as we’ve had with both Bushes, Clinton and Obama.
Perry’s statements on border security and immigration enforcement are nothing but feints and ruses to cover his open borders intent that will be little different from the presidents from GHWB to Obama.
I don’t have to say who I support to voice my opinion of RINO Rick. But it’s no secret, I’m still struggling with Palin’s endorsement of Juan McCain. To make matters worse, she’s had nothing but good to say about RINO Rick. These things bother me — a lot.
“Coming from a Idiot who wants to give the country away,You have NO standing MR Nobody!
Well, I never guessed that someone on FR named after a bag of snack food was so important and knowledgeable. What part of “decades” is confusing you? Link us up to your stormfront page and let’s clear the air......”
Abu How about, Your links to Your friends at the Muslim Brotherhood???
And here is some info you may need Goofy!
I didn't say anything about Hispanic Marines. I specifically stated "illegal aliens". Since you are purposely lying about what I stated we know that you are an open borders, pro amnesty shill.
“They are being allowed to serve. Perhaps someone with more information on how that’s done could enlighten us.”
As a service member and a former Recruiter I can tell you if an illegal is in the U.S. Armed Forces, it was done by FRAUD. Only U.S. citizens and those with resident status are allowed to serve.
“What’s the problem, you afraid they’re going to deport you?”
“You are evidence that this country is almost finished.”
The above are 2 quotes were generated in response to my suggestion that it is not “unconservative” to believe that illegal immigrants who honorably served this country in the military should be granted citizenship. If the viewpoint reflected in the above posts represents the thought process of conservatives, then conservatism is doomed. It is neither radical nor unAmerican to suggest individuals who serve this country should be granted citizenship in it. I would suggest that the label of unAmerican is better placed on those who wish to deny such individuals citizenship. I have hope for this country because I believe the above comments come from individuals who represent the extreme fringe of conservatives; therefore, they are individuals so marginal that their opinions are insignificant. I may or may not be a lonely voice here; nevertheless, I appreciate contrary opinions expressed in reasoned discourse. If my opinion is beyond the pale of constitutional conservative thought, I should be challenged and shown to be wrong. Perhaps name calling is the most appropriate means of addressing one who has a contrary viewpoint; however, I thought that tactic was reserved for the Huffington Post.
The Constitution does not include the word immigration at all.
The Supreme Court ruled in 1976 that the Congressional power to regulate naturalization, from Article 1, Section 8, includes the power to regulate immigration (see, for example, Hampton v. Mow Sun Wong, 426 U.S. 88 [1976]).
Congress creates the laws that govern immigration and people from all nationalities worldwide can come here legally if they meet the requirements - including those considered "refuse" as the plaque says.
Hey Doofas Have someone read that link too you,we do not need your Mexican friends in our military.
Hey skinhead n00b, Take your white supremacy and neo-nazi tatoos to another forum.
Don't be silly. This thread is about serving honorably in the miltary and receiving citizenship. Period. The rest is anti-Perry rhetoric....
“Hey skinhead n00b, Take your white supremacy and neo-nazi tatoos to another forum.”
Hey go and grow a brain,You went to school to be a moron I see.
They use identity theft and fraud docs. Recruiters are often complicit. If illegal aliens can get by the Border Patrol and Immigration Inspectors at the Ports of Entry then they wouldn't have any problem getting past military recruiters. They don't even have problems getting Top Secret military clearances or joining law enforcement as was the case with Oscar Ortiz.
Noob: “Because FR works when people link their proof,” I suggest when you make dubious assertions, you support them with the appropriate link. The fact that you chose not to follow your own advise tells me you’re lying about looking up demographics. No need for me to argue with a liar.
Then why did you lie about my comment?
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