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Rick Perry: Illegal Immigrants Who Serve In The Military Deserve Citizenship
TPM ^ | August 20, 2011 | Evan McMorris-Santoro

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."


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Front Page News; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: aliens; border; illegals; immigration; military; openborders; perry; perrytards; rickperry; sb1070; shootingfromthelips; texican
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To: Quicksilver

Because we have been going around on the immigration merry-go-round for soooo long.The term Open Borders may not mean just geographical description. It could mean esp. with Perry, a state of mind. This means no thought for future generations or longevity to the system of creating Americans through common culture and respect for Rule of Law but rather a here and now passion for economic zone-forming placing priority on all things business, economy, jobs to an extent that sovereignty,patriotism is an outmoded passe concept.The blood spilled for America becomes a far off legend irrelevant in today’s new bilingual frontiers.


321 posted on 08/20/2011 8:11:12 PM PDT by magna carta
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To: onyx
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?

Excellent point. I've heard many say "no more Texans". Shallow, I know but many think that way. They also see no difference between RINO Rick and Bush. I don't know how many would let these things affect the way they vote but I know there are many here at FR who say "No more Bushs" whenever someone mentions a run by JEB.

Me? I just don't want another RINO and that means no on Perry.

322 posted on 08/20/2011 8:12:52 PM PDT by South40 (Rick Perry is to conservatism what Susan Smith was to motherhood)
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To: LibsRJerks
Weapons in the hands of illegals with questionable loyalty to the US and our Constitution?
PASS.

Agreed. I can't believe so many think it would be a-ok.

323 posted on 08/20/2011 8:14:09 PM PDT by South40 (Rick Perry is to conservatism what Susan Smith was to motherhood)
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To: magna carta
Excellent point please cut & paste this for future use.,/I>

Thank you. I'll keep it close and use it should the need again arise.

324 posted on 08/20/2011 8:18:07 PM PDT by South40 (Rick Perry is to conservatism what Susan Smith was to motherhood)
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To: Cincinatus' Wife

They wont let someone join if they have bad eyesight in one eye/ear but they will let some Mexican who hates the USA to join up for the benefits?


325 posted on 08/20/2011 8:23:46 PM PDT by Soothesayer9
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To: magna carta

Okay, thanks. This may be oversimplifying it, but is it fair to say that Open Borders is free trade between countries?


326 posted on 08/20/2011 8:24:24 PM PDT by Quicksilver (Defeat Obama)
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To: stephenjohnbanker

I don’t think Perry supporters are as blind to these things as they pretend to be. They know about them but choose to deny. When you think about it, what else can they do — support a real conservative? Never!


327 posted on 08/20/2011 8:24:59 PM PDT by South40 (Rick Perry is to conservatism what Susan Smith was to motherhood)
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To: South40; Lakeshark
I don't know how many would let these things affect the way they vote but I know there are many here at FR who say "No more Bushs" whenever someone mentions a run by JEB

GOOD point!

I remain stunned by this article and these statements by Governor Perry.

Pandering to the hilt and very telling.

328 posted on 08/20/2011 8:25:23 PM PDT by onyx (If you enjoy FR, support it! If you support Sarah Palin & want on her Busy Ping List, let me know.)
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To: Cincinatus' Wife
Starting to look alot like, ya know who...


329 posted on 08/20/2011 8:28:06 PM PDT by Fred ('Just cus I said it, don't mean I meant it'....Obamaism)
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To: Quicksilver

Yes...but with the negative consequences ignored by both parties. Everybody’s on the take.


330 posted on 08/20/2011 8:29:25 PM PDT by magna carta
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To: magna carta; Quicksilver
In a speech in Mexico in 2007, Perry said he supported completely open borders, calling for the “free flow of individuals between these two countries who want to work and want to be an asset to our country and to Mexico.”

The "Free flow of individuals" scares the hell out of me.

331 posted on 08/20/2011 8:29:40 PM PDT by South40 (Rick Perry is to conservatism what Susan Smith was to motherhood)
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To: Sporke
don’t believe any part of that

You don't have to believe it. But it's still true. I served with people that were illegal aliens and I even cited a case on this thread of an illegal alien that not only joined the military but got a TS clearance and then subsequently became a Border Patrol agent.

332 posted on 08/20/2011 8:33:56 PM PDT by Ajnin (Neca eos omnes. Deus suos agnocet!)
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To: magna carta

Gotcha. Thanks.


333 posted on 08/20/2011 8:34:20 PM PDT by Quicksilver (Defeat Obama)
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To: South40

Yes...he needs to be made to explain that in no uncertain terms. People need to ask him pointed and direct questions along the way. Fat Chance. The Ruling-Class is Perry. No doubt.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1q9FCr9KGlc


334 posted on 08/20/2011 8:36:50 PM PDT by magna carta
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To: Ajnin

Well, in that case, we are doomed as a nation. :-/


335 posted on 08/20/2011 8:39:00 PM PDT by Sporke (USS-Iowa BB-61)
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To: South40

Thanks. It would be similar to what we have with Canada. Except that Mexico is a long ways from being like Canada.


336 posted on 08/20/2011 8:41:15 PM PDT by Quicksilver (Defeat Obama)
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To: Ajnin

I served with green card TAC Fighters that got citizenship, is it the same thing............


337 posted on 08/20/2011 8:45:47 PM PDT by eyedigress ((Old storm chaser from the west)?)
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To: onyx
I remain stunned by this article and these statements by Governor Perry.

I know enough about Slick-Rick to not be stunned. What stuns me is his followers think this is a good thing. Open borders, pro-amnesty, pro-Dream Act, opposed Arizona's SB1070, the ONLY Republican governor to endorse pro-abortion candidate Rudy Giuliani for president and the list goes on. This doesn't stun me at all.

338 posted on 08/20/2011 8:45:47 PM PDT by South40 (Rick Perry is to conservatism what Susan Smith was to motherhood)
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To: magna carta

Excellent! Thanks for the link MC.


339 posted on 08/20/2011 8:56:14 PM PDT by South40 (Rick Perry is to conservatism what Susan Smith was to motherhood)
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To: icanhasbailout

Illegal aliens have served in the Military as a path for citizenship for a lot of years. This is nothing new.


340 posted on 08/20/2011 9:13:26 PM PDT by Grey Eagle
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