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."
They committed a crime by being illegally in the country so the correct answer to your question is NO. Go to Mexico or wherever they are legal citizens and apply from there.
Wait, what?? How are illegal immigrants getting into the military in the first place?
A debatable point. However, how is it even possible for illegal aliens to serve in the US military?
” Well, Perry isn’t Commander in Chief so.....the FEDERAL government??? “
///
can’t you look at your OWN words for a minute?
you blame the CURRENT Commander in Chief for doing something,
that PERRY wants to REWARD.
...illegals who BREAK OUR LAW, break our constitution,
to enter our country illegally, and LIE to get into the military, and Perry wants to reward them?
is there NOTHING that Perry does or says, that bothers you the slightest ???
not speaking at La Raza or Islamic gatherings?
(CAIR Houston
“The Muslim community has a significant number of political conservatives, and they do support Perry,” said Mustafaa Carroll, executive director of the Council on American Islamic Relations in Houston, “)
So WHY do you want Perry so badly?
if another candidate was IDENTICAL in record, you’d jump all over them.
( i know you would. you are a TRUE patriot.
i’ve read and ADMIRED your posts in the past !!!
you are a wonderful conservative American !!!)
so WHY the blinders for Perry ?
I actually agree that if someone is here illegally, but can pass a background check and the military wants them, they should be allowed to stay and serve. If they do a good job, then at the end of their second or third enlistment, they can take the citizenship test.
It is amnesty!!
What is the difference between paying a fine or serving in the military?
In both cases lawbreakers are rewarded for their crimes!
How many honest people do you think are out there that would give their left nut to come to the USA legally, serve in the military and gain citizenship?
I’m guessing tens of millions.
And instead you want to give that opportunity to the scum lawbreakers already here???
someone please explain how an illegal alien gets into the military. Permanent Residents, yes - but illegals? no way!
I agree 100%. If you have the balls to fight for America, you should be awarded citizenship, and your immediate family as well. This is how immigration SHOULD work......
If you're going to comment on my comment, at least know what comment I was commenting on.
Perhaps a paid poster.
Being going on for a long time. Little known fact, during the Vietnam War more Canadians crossed the border to enlist in the US military than Americans crossed into Canada to dodge the draft.
“llegal aliens should not be in the military. Period. End of story. They should be expelled when found out. From the military and the country.”
I am quite certain that illegal aliens are not showing up in recruiting stations where, of course, they would be turned in. But I am not 100% certain anymore.
The newspaper or Rick himself or both, got this wrong. I’d like to know which. And the country needs for people to stop getting this wrong; the distinction between legal immigrant citizens and aliens living here illegally.
If we can’t find enough US citizens to meet our needs, it just might be that our global military policy lacks popular support. Who the hell wants to risk their lives dealing with Afghans on an RoE more restrictive than a cop on the streets of Chicago has to deal with, for no purpose that can be seriously construed as a vital national interest?
” They are being allowed to serve’
NO Absolutely no! illegals are not allowed to serve. If any illegal is in the militarty they got in with false documents.
anyone who used false docs to join should be prosecuted NOT given citizenship
right now legal immingrants can join and apply for citizenship right away.LEGAL
Perry is full of crap on that issue ANd on allowing illegals to pay in state tuition here in Texas
No illegals in our military EVER.
I think I agree with this
If you enlist in the miliatry and serve honorably, then OK- you can become a ciizen at the end of your term
“How about if I go to college?”
No.
“How about if my parents brought me here?”
No.
“How about if I serve in the military?”
No.
It’s not on the United States to provide you with a way to earn what you’ve already stolen. Earning and theft are mutually exclusive.
Citizenship is not for sale. Not at any price.
There is a world of difference between giving a preference to those illegals who served in the military and those who are being granted amnesty merely because they are attending college. Clearly the latter is no sacrifice at all and they are not deserving of amnesty. There is an argument however for those who made the sacrifice of serving in the military although I am not sure how an illegal gains entry into the military. It is quite disingenuous to try to lump the 1 percent who served in the military with the 99% who are attending college as if there is some sort of equivalency.There is not.
How CAN illegal aliens GET IN THE MILITARY?..
They are illegal!!.. and aliens!!..
Why would you give this opportunity to illegals, lawbreakers, when there are millions of people waiting in line following the rules that would jump at it??
“Citizenship is not for sale. Not at any price.”
Hear! Hear!
never ever should an illegal be allowed to serve in our military.
NEVER
“There is a world of difference between giving a preference to those illegals who served in the military and those who are being granted amnesty merely because they are attending college.”
There is no difference whatsoever. Both are thieves.
"Hello, my name is Juan. I have just come up from Mexico to your country. I have no skills, but I am strong and young. If you let me enter your armed forces, teach me discipline and your ways, I will fight for you. I ask only for citizenship, should I survive."
Frankly, I'll take a motivated Mexican over the trash we import from Europe and Africa anytime.....
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.