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."
As do I, but not without strings attached. My biggest requirement—no dual citizenship! You must renounce your citizenship with your native land as part of the deal.
IS THIS STORY A JOKE?
WHAT THE HELL ARE FOREIGNERS WHO SNEAK INTO THE USA DOING IN OUR MILITARY?
I THOUGHT THOSE WERE CALLED “SPIES.”
HAS PERRY LOST HIS MIND?
Good question. And, the question itself should result in an investigation as to how it's happening.
Sorry about that, yes you did say that.
Personally I feel there are so many people far more deserving than those who illegally invaded our country in the first place.
That’s one frightening image, Liz!
I’m relieved to see your posts because lately it seemed like there was nothing but Perry cheerleaders left.
Every candidate needs to be vetted. Slick-Rick's being vetted and he's stinking more every day.
Do you really believe the garbage you wrote?
That sums it up perfectly!
I’m stealing that one.
I'm not sure what Article 1 Section 8 has to do with you living in your mom's basement, but I did review it. So what? I'll go one step further. If I were king for a day, you would not be a citizen of the US...UNTIL you serve in the military. If you don't have the cahones to defend the US, you have no vote......
Look stupid....read the thread. This isn't something new, it's been around since I was in the military.....40 years or so ago....
The Juan McCain, presidential campaign position, pure and simple. And the position of many Republicans who try to have it both ways, but are really amnesty supporters without the political honesty to admit it.
No one should kid themselves about this double-talker on the illegal alien and border issues. And, of course, he says the border can be secured without a "ridiculous" fence.
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
Holy shitte...you opened the door for the knee jerk idiot Perry basher by posting that. What he said was that he was not opposed to folks earning their citizenship, which has been the case forever, by joining and serving in the military. Of course most FReepers have never served so they jump to conclusions and of course they are all experts on everything. Not a new notion....been around since 1961 for which I can attest!
I sure do but you are wasting your time telling me I am crazy. I have been hearing that for over 20 years.
So... you swore an oath to defend a document you haven't read, and now you propose a scheme that is totally offensive to it and the explicit principles that the nation was founded on. You are an oath breaker, a swearer of lies, and a traitor to the United States of America.
May you spend eternity encased in ice next to your spiritual kin Lucifer.
Wrong we have citizens out of work who cannot get in because of a stupid teenage prank. But ILLEGALS get a free pass. Why because they are minorities?
Or barbarians in the Roman Army, so much so that by the fifth century, the Roman Army was no longer Roman.
I see. So according to....you....every Hispanic Marine is a gang banging Mexican that has no loyalty to the US. Thank you for the un-biased BS.....
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