“...and being in support of tax payer funded education for anchor babies of illegal aliens,, (this is a rerun of the so-called “compassionate conservatism” which is essentially “liberalism”), is the real deal killer re: Perry for me.”
Anchor babies born here have a dual citizenship: American and whatever country where their parent(s) are citizens. Federal law requires that ALL children, regardless of citizenship/legality, must be educated in our public schools. The same law about education applies even if the child was brought into the country illegally by parents.
Such kids, illegal or anchor babies, in Texas that have attended schools at least three years and graduated from high school are considered to be residents of the State. As residents, they are being granted the right to pay in-state tuition rates at State colleges, trade schools, etc., if they have filed an affadavit that they are currently pursuing US citizenship.
Minor children can only apply for citizenship after they reach majority age. These kids, however, may have lived in Texas all of their lives or for most of their youth years, so they are assimilated into the American culture.
It makes more sense to allow them to pursue a higher education which will make them a more productive member of our society. The alternative is to refuse them an opportunity for success and let them live off of the food stamps and welfare provided by the taxpayers.
Unlike the lies spouted by a couple of folks (Romney) in the debate, the Texas taxpayers are not paying to give illegals a college education and are not preventing US citizens in Texas from attending the State colleges. Many of the State colleges will only except students that were ranked in the top 10% of their HS graduating classes. The children of illegals have to qualify through their grades to get entrance to the State colleges just like everyone else.