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."
Apparently some are perfectly happy that it is.
Interestingly enough, this idea is straight from the Council on Foreign Relations, which confirms that Perry is beholden to and the creature of internationalist/globalist elites.
Although the Pentagon has had wartime authority to recruit immigrants since shortly after the Sept. 11 attacks, military officials have moved cautiously to lay the legal groundwork for the temporary immigrant program to avoid controversy within the ranks and among veterans over the prospect of large numbers of immigrants in the armed forces.
A preliminary Pentagon announcement of the program last year drew a stream of angry comments from officers and veterans on Military.com, a Web site they frequent.<<< .......
I support allowing those LEGAL immigrants who serve honorably to go to the head of the line.
I served in the USAF with a number of LEGALS who knew more about America, our history, traditions and were better citizens than some of the native borns.
ILLEGALS! HELL NO!!
Didn’t the Romans start accepting barbarians into the Roman Legions...
Just before Rome fell?
Ah, so people who lie or are blackmailed by foreign governments or terrorists are allowed in the military now? Just because they slap on a uniform and seem to serve? Meanwhile legit US recruits are turned away on idiotic looks at their records such as whether they were homeschooled or not?
Does not matter who displaces him, the house and Senate are where the real fights will be. The Executive Branch will tote the line.
I agree fully with Governor Perry.
Let me guess.....you have never been in any branch of the US military. Keyboard warrior from mommies basement doesn't count.
Non citizens have been serving in the military for a couple of decades that I know of. I knew a few Germans who signed up in Germany and served in the US Army.
Being in the military does not necessarily you have the balls to fight for AMerica. The danger for infiltration is very real, and there are plenty out there who use their stay to get free medical and get out (getting in with injuries they hide).
Yep - this is how we’re going to win: by “reaching across the aisle” to work with libs.
I think John McCain deserves another run, don’t you? :D
Also known as AMNESTY!
Pro-open borders, pro-Dream ACT, pro-ILLEGAL alien Rick Perry is for amnesty also and his supporting this POS idea proves it.
Bush2 is the name I use for Perry ;)
I find it’s an accurate description.
More amnesty from RINO Rick.
LOL, read my post again, I said "I don't know whether I support this or not." That said, I think it is better than just paying a fine because the soldier has to swear allegiance to the country and possibly put his life on the line. Still, the idea of having a lot of illegals serving in the military does concern me.
Its not a Perry showstopper though.
If you swore an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States, you have some explaining to do if you think Article 1 Section 8 of that Constitution is optional.
It is very accurate. And this is another shining example of what makes it so.
Correct. The little secret is very few American military are front line battle troops. The logistics necessary to project our forces world wide are enormous...So what? Most white bread kids today are brainwashed into thinking military = Marines, which is why so few volunteer. I'll say again, any foreigner, after proper vetting, should be given citizenship for service in the US military. This is not a new idea.
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