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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: Lakeshark


It's indefensible and full-out pandering.

This is NOT a CONSERVATIVE viewpoint, so trying to sell it as such, is NUTZ!
421 posted on 08/21/2011 2:01:26 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: onyx
BUMP to your post!

It's indefensible and full-out pandering

422 posted on 08/21/2011 2:05:20 PM PDT by Lakeshark (Thank a member of the US armed forces for their sacrifice)
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To: Cincinatus' Wife

I’m in favor of this as long as we do it like the Romans. Serve 20 years. Become a Citizen.


423 posted on 08/21/2011 2:17:22 PM PDT by Republic of Texas (Socialism Always Fails)
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To: Lakeshark

I think someone just wants this thread to die....lol.


424 posted on 08/21/2011 2:23:14 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: Vevey
At some point, it’s learned that he gained entry into the United States unlawfully. What would be the American way to treat him?

Yes, I believe you are correct. You and I were talking past each other......you make many valid points. Welcome to FR (baptism of fire...;)

425 posted on 08/21/2011 2:29:07 PM PDT by ScreamingFist (Quiet the Idiot)
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To: onyx; Cincinatus' Wife; All
I've been fairly cautious, not wading into Perry threads, just watching and trying to learn. Heck, I even gave Diogenesis a hard time because I think the Gardisil kerfuffle is overstated. I have been upset over Perry's apparent squishiness on illegals, and have been waiting for him to clarify his positions.

The more I see of what he seems to think on this issue, the more I believe he is not a candidate we should support. W (and yes, I supported him) almost destroyed the GOP coalition over this issue, I don't want another pandering Texan who will finish the job.

426 posted on 08/21/2011 2:32:42 PM PDT by Lakeshark (Thank a member of the US armed forces for their sacrifice)
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To: Ajnin
In my line of work any person with a “green card” is a legal alien.

It takes a green card to get into the US military.....you said all the "illegals" you served with were gang bangers.....are they illegal or not? Try to be consistent.

427 posted on 08/21/2011 2:35:51 PM PDT by ScreamingFist (Quiet the Idiot)
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To: Scotsman will be Free
I’ll say it again. Never allow illegals into the military and never reward illegals for anything.

Are greencard immigrants illegal?

428 posted on 08/21/2011 2:38:53 PM PDT by ScreamingFist (Quiet the Idiot)
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To: gunner03

Sorry, my mistake


429 posted on 08/21/2011 2:43:25 PM PDT by Ajnin (Neca eos omnes. Deus suos agnocet!)
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To: ScreamingFist
It takes a green card to get into the US military.....you said all the "illegals" you served with were gang bangers.....are they illegal or not? Try to be consistent

I have been consistent, you are obviously confused.

430 posted on 08/21/2011 2:47:43 PM PDT by Ajnin (Neca eos omnes. Deus suos agnocet!)
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To: Lakeshark
I have been upset over Perry's apparent squishiness on illegals, and have been waiting for him to clarify his positions.

Perry's squishiness? Enlighten us. Which candidate currently running shares your views on the border situation.

431 posted on 08/21/2011 2:48:23 PM PDT by ScreamingFist (Quiet the Idiot)
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To: Lakeshark
The more I see of what he seems to think on this issue, the more I believe he is not a candidate we should support. W (and yes, I supported him) almost destroyed the GOP coalition over this issue, I don't want another pandering Texan who will finish the job.

I'm sure he will be giving a lot of information for you to go over. But it's pointless to keep plowing the same row now. Currently, I have more confidence than you in his ability to work this problem.

432 posted on 08/21/2011 2:48:34 PM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
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To: Ajnin
I have been consistent, you are obviously confused.

No. You said every illegal you served with in the Marines were gangbangers.....

433 posted on 08/21/2011 2:49:51 PM PDT by ScreamingFist (Quiet the Idiot)
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To: Ajnin

To: ScreamingFist
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.”

Bwahahaha! I served with illegal aliens in the Marine Corps and they were gangbanging POS that had absolutely no allegiance the US. Illegals join the military to use it as their own personal welfare program, the possibilty of getting killed in combat has no impact on their loytaly to Mexico.

Just ask Oscar Ortiz.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,206120,00.html
93 posted on Saturday, August 20, 2011 4:49:05 PM by Ajnin (Neca eos omnes. Deus suos agnocet!)


434 posted on 08/21/2011 2:53:08 PM PDT by ScreamingFist (Quiet the Idiot)
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To: ScreamingFist
Soooo...

I take it you haven't read what Perry said. Do you think it's okay to have illegals in the military and give them citizenship? Well, apparently he does. Maybe that doesn't upset you, but it does upset most conservatives and well it should.

If that isn't just squishy, but downright panderociously wrong, then nothing is.

Heck, maybe he can continue the Bambi policy of of allowing illegals to stay through executive order. I mean, why not?

Okay, now go ahead, defend what he said. I'll be waiting.

435 posted on 08/21/2011 2:54:54 PM PDT by Lakeshark (Thank a member of the US armed forces for their sacrifice)
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To: Cincinatus' Wife
Rick Perry: Illegal Immigrants Who Serve In The Military Deserve Citizenship

Sounds like one another one of those compassionate conservatives from Texas.

436 posted on 08/21/2011 2:56:10 PM PDT by McGruff (a Sarah Palin supporter and proud of it.)
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To: ScreamingFist
Are greencard immigrants illegal?

A "green card", otherwise known as a LAPR card or I-551 is a document carried by LEGAL aliens allowed into the United States for permanent residence. They are called green cards because that's the color of paper the LAPR cards used to be printed on.

437 posted on 08/21/2011 2:59:22 PM PDT by Ajnin (Neca eos omnes. Deus suos agnocet!)
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To: Cincinatus' Wife
Currently, I have more confidence than you in his ability to work this problem

Currently, you're right. So far his record on illegals is suspect, and what he just said about illegals in the military is just plain wrong.

Perhaps you could get him to retract that. Most conservatives and the vast majority of us on FR would appreciate that.

438 posted on 08/21/2011 3:00:25 PM PDT by Lakeshark (Thank a member of the US armed forces for their sacrifice)
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To: Lakeshark

If this was such a big flub, why isn’t the media making a big deal about it?

Have we gotten the entire story?


439 posted on 08/21/2011 3:03:35 PM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
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To: Lakeshark
Okay, now go ahead, defend what he said. I'll be waiting.

You're about 300 replies behind shark. Green card immigrants have been serving in the US military for decades. Perry supports this, as do I.

440 posted on 08/21/2011 3:05:32 PM PDT by ScreamingFist (Quiet the Idiot)
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