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."
Ping!
>> 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??<<
So you think our military is guarding against illegals serving alongside US citizens? Think again. Are we even sure they are not infiltrators?
Over three thousand undocumented military veterans battling deportation orders.
http://www.latinalista.net/palabrafinal/2009/10/over_three_thousand_undocumented_militar.html
With that many who are already veterans how many are not serving and how many veterans who are not fighting deportation?
No, but the men who wrote it were quite explicit that they didn't want "the huddled masses" and the "wretched refuse" immigrating here from "all nationalities".
They understood the document was quite novel and not suited to govern anybody from anywhere.
The "Rights of Englishmen" were quite well established at the drafting and the colonies governed in a most light manner of British norms at the time.
REALLY! HELLO! Just what we need MORE RECRUITS FOR FT. HOOD!
“No, but the men who wrote it were quite explicit that they didn’t want “the huddled masses” and the “wretched refuse” immigrating here from “all nationalities”.
If you have access to any linked documents that show this, I’d like to see them.
The open borders wing has been underground for a few years now at FR. The Rick Perry candidacy has just made them all pop their heads back up.
Are you catching on...that’s good. I had a Purple Heart vet drive to Austin from Cibolo, Tx. to testify in favor of a bill to rein in sanctuary cities.He had to sit and wait for hours listening to every church,business and commie group. Illegals testifying in Spanish with translators,said he got sickly and had to leave. Was never able to testify.
Read the first three immigration acts passed by Congress in the immediacy after ratification. They're online.
With all due respect Dennis, I really don’t think we know who can beat Obama. His numbers are dropping daily, he’s lost the Independents, the economy is tanking even further, he’s just now, three years into his term devising a ‘plan to create jobs’ and the election is still 15 months away. I want the best, most conservative candidate to get the Republican nomination. I would hate to see a RINO get it only to see Obama’s numbers get so low it becomes clear he would be have been beatable by anyone. It’s just too early to make that call.
Yeah buddy! And anyone who doesn't support RINO Rick is an Obama advocate. I've been accused of even getting paid by the Obama admin. That's some wacky stuff.
I appreciate Rick Perry proving that he is an arrogant historical ignoramus (ie Democrat or liberal). Illegal Aliens in the military is a threat to America. Anyone who says otherwise should study the Fall of the Western Roman Empire.
5-star one-liner...YOU WIN THIS THREAD!
The people of SC have a nice set of fortress laws against illegal immigration...they can afford to roll the dice on Perry. We,in Texas, cannot however, forget he left a sanctuary state as he sailed off for greener pastures.
And another fine young American taken out by an illegal:
http://blog.al.com/breaking/2011/08/for_huntsville_couple_still_gr.html
Last week wasn’t it a FED ISSUE? He’s got to be pleased as punch at Obama’s EO amnesty. He gets off the hook. Wonder if anyone on the trail will be INTELLIGENT ENOUGH to ask him if he plans on overturning this EO and cranking up the number of ICE agents.
I couldn't agree more. I know this is a simple comparison but I'll say it anyway. We need to plug the hole in the boat before we start bailing out the water.
I love living in rural East San Diego County but it does have its drawbacks. Not a week goes by that I don't go out to find my water hose running having been left on by ILLEGALs filling their water jugs. They pick fruit from my trees and steal the eggs from my chicken coop. Hell, they've even stolen the chickens. They have broken into and slept in my garage, workshop, storage shed and barn and they've tried hot wiring my vehicles. A time was when they would run when spotted but that is no more. They have grown bolder and more dangerous. I hate leaving the home empty when I travel or worse, leaving my wife here alone. So I hire someone to house sit my house or we have someone stay with the Mrs.
My congressman is Duncan Hunter. He is a staunch conservative who knows and understand the needs of people like me. What I don't have but need is a president who will take real steps to secure our southern border. And that man is not Mr. Open Borders Rick Perry.
I think you'd get more credibility by coming up with a different name.
Can you imagine what good shape America would be in if all these globalists, treasonists,and RINOS put in 1-10th the energy into the well-being of their own constituency as they do with amnesty schemes for illegal aliens from MX?
These are the lowest of the low in my book-political pedophiles.
Sorry, but I have no idea what you are talking about. Was that post intended for someone else?
Did he really say this?
How on earth are you going to defend that as good?
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