Rick Perry: Illegal Immigrants Who Serve In The Military Deserve Citizenship

TPM ^ | August 20, 2011 | Evan McMorris-Santoro

[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."

[muawiyah]

It's your name "South 40" ~ the Obots on the Truth Squad picked poster names to use all across the net that consisted of a WORD or their INITIALS followed by a 2 or 3 digit Number.

It's their signature system.

If all you did was get yourself known as "SOUTHFORTY' you'd be OK.

Many of us recognize the OBOT system and recoil ~ as you might understand.

[free me]

Thanks,Bush2 makes it easy!

[LibsRJerks]

Um, our military has certain standards ...

1. You need to pass the ASVAB with certain score to enlist.
2. You need to be physically, morally, and mentally/pychologically qualified.
3. BTW, the Armed Forces are supposedly downsizing.
4. How do we truly know these people’s backgrounds? (moral fitness)

We don’t take high school drop-outs as it is, and as many as only 30% of 19 to 23 year old American kids can’t pass muster to get in. How many illegals at this point have even passed high school?

Will we make exceptions for illegals that we currently do not make for American kids wanting in?

How about ALLLLL the family members ...the “dependents” these illegals are sure to bring with them ...

Weapons in the hands of illegals with questionable loyalty to the US and our Constitution?

PASS.

[Almondjoy]

What Perry should be for is legal immigrants who serve in our military should have a faster path to citizenship than those who don’t.

[magna carta]

Let Palin handle Ricky.

[magna carta]

Excellent point please cut & paste this for future use.

[dragnet2]

It is not the state’s job to round up illegal immigrants and deport them. That responsibility is constitutionally assigned to the federal government

Utter hypocrisy...In California, the illegals are their fault and they deserve everything they get....

But in Texas, the governor is simply an innocent by-stander and it's not his job.

The political hypocrisy here suffocating.

[Lakeshark]

I don't just want a good candidate, I want someone who I can trust to be a good president.

Pandering to La Raza doesn't do it for me.

[magna carta]

Seriously...where is Perry’s briefing team on CYB-IMMIGRATION?

[Quicksilver]

Oh man, that is unimaginable here in rural Virginia. The closest I've had to anything like that was when I briefly lived in a high-crime part of a large city.

What exactly is meant by open borders? I have always assumed it meant unsecured borders, however, from the posts on FR I get the sense that may not be right. Perry says that he's for securing the borders first, so is open borders an immigration policy?

[onyx]

Full-out pandering!

Indefensible.

[South40]

I've had this screen name for over a decade dating back to when Obama was still creating an identity. It has nothing to do with Obama. Nor does it have anything to do with me being accused of supporting him. That's just the only thing RINO Rick Perry supporters can think of when they are faced with his record. And they say the same things to others here who have no similar name structure.

BTW...you posted that last message to yourself.

[DrewsMum]

Does the military turn away homeschoolers?

[DrewsMum]

it will trick hispanics and lot of PerryBot Freepers. Ok, NOW your statement is accurate.

[onyx]

I rather be complaining about a Rick Perry in the White House than an Obama in the White House. Any Republican who can beat Bammy Boy gets my vote. But my preference is Rick Perry and he can beat Bammy. Bachmann, Palin cannot raise the $$ to beat Obama. Rick Perry and Romney can

If it's a matter of money, Palin can raise it.

Don't be sure about Perry winning, either. Just how sure are you, that the electorate at large, would be ready to elect another Governor of Texas just 4 short years after Bush?

Romney is a sure loser.

I am grateful we will have a long, robust Marathon Primary Season to see how it all shakes out!

Furthermore the field of candidates just might not be set.....yet.

[Fred]

And Perry is sure to get the La Raza Vote too

Governor Rick Perry speaks to La Raza

Perry is on his way to become one of their heros, along with Che and Zapata.

La Raza Heros

[dragnet2]

It is not the state’s job to round up illegal immigrants and deport them. That responsibility is constitutionally assigned to the federal government

Utter hypocrisy...In California, the illegals are their fault and they deserve everything they get....

But in Texas, the governor is simply an innocent by-stander and it's not his job.

The political hypocrisy here is suffocating.

Seriously...where is Perry’s briefing team on CYB-IMMIGRATION?

Oh, there here, as they were with Bush. Same exact thing.

[Fred]

Yeah, and he has this endorsement too!!!Fist pump to Ricardo P.

[cva66snipe]

IIRC fraudulent enlistment is a crime and a violation of the UCMJ. Illegal entry into the U.S. makes them criminals or fugitives from justice in my book.

Legal Immigrants who have passed through all legal requirements for permenant residence I can see granting citizenship too in exchange for military service IF several conditions are met first including, the ability to read & speak the English language at a U.S. high school level, an extensive back ground check with no security clearances/access above confidential given first enlistment, and citizenship only upon completion of obligated service with an Honorable Discharge. At no time should these waivers exceed 5% of the total End Troop Strength of any branch of service at any time. That number would likely be close to 50,000.

Perry is a first class NATU Shill it sure sounds like. A remake of GW Bush foreign policy we do not need at this point in time.

[South40]

Full-out pandering!
Indefensible.

I kinda like it. It shows just how low RINO Rick will stoop to win the nomination. I only wish I would have found this link and posted it. To my amazement, a Perry supporter did! lol!

It reminds me of the time Obama undermined his own argument using the post office to try and sell us on Obamacare.