Rick Perry: Illegal Immigrants Who Serve In The Military Deserve Citzenship

[alp227]

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.

full: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/08/rick-perry-illegal-immigrants-who-serve-in-the-military-deserve-citzenship.php

[dtexdem]

1. Even a broken clock is correct twice a day.

Making the broken clock twice as correct as Perry yesterday. ;-)

[gratuitous]

2. Trying to thread a mighty fine needle there, Mr. Perry

Let's get this straight: Perry wants the states to be responsible for their own immigration laws? Now, there are a number of Oregonians who were against "immigration" from California during the 1970s. Even formed their own gag organization, the James Blaine Society, named after a 19th century vice president who never visited the territory or state of Oregon. So, would Texas have its own immigration laws to keep out Ohioans? But have an open admission policy for Louisianans?

Oh, but Gov. Perry wants the federal government to pay for border enforcement. In other words, Texas promulgates its own crazy quilt immigration laws, but expects taxpayers from Alaska to Florida to pay for it. We're all good with that, right? And I'm sure that the Nitwit Brigade in the Republican party will be more than eager to grant citizenship to "illegal" immigrants who agree to spend a few years in the military. I should stand up, though, as the monkeys flying out of my butt when that happens will need a clear takeoff.

[ret5hd]

3. Just make our army the American Foreign Legion!

[provis99]

4. you got that right.

but a little secret is that the average French citizen has always had contempt for Legionnaires, seeing them as foreign scum (usually Germans) trying to buy French citizenship with a term of service. For all their foreign glamour, they aren't respected in France.

[ret5hd]

6. Well, don't you think it would work about the same here?

[blogslut]

5. He is a fair-weather snake

He tailors his public views to suit whatever group he is in front of. But in private, all he cares about is furthering his own personal interests.

[demosincebirth]

7. The Military would be subject to fines for hiring undocumented workers...would they not?

[sammytko]

13. Yes - I believe he used the wrong term -

If you are here illegaly, the military will not take you. You can have a visa or whatever and join. My first supervisor in the air force many years ago was not a citizen.

[Obamanaut]

8. No they don't. *Illegal* immigrants deserve to be sent to their country of origin, while

the *legal* immigrants who applied and were accepted deserve citizenship - if they so desire.

[ret5hd]

9. another "capital has more rights than people" person.

whooda thunk it.

[Obamanaut]

11. Ya breaks the rules, ya pays the price. What a novel freaking idea for some. nt

[ret5hd]

12. and the rules say capital has more rights than people.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

15. That ''dem rules is dem rules'' attitude is what justifies the most dickish of behaviors. -nt

[Obamanaut]

17. You should really get a charge from this response, because dem rules

IS in fact, dem rules.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=1790944&mesg_id=1791678

Response 16

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

18. *Woooosh*

As expected.

[cherokeeprogressive]

10. A much better idea. n/t

[saras]

14. Why do we allow undocumented immigrants in the military in the first place? WTF??

That seems like a pretty strong statement that at least part of the government doesn't consider them a problem.

[sammytko]

16. He used the wrong terminology which means he doesn't

know poopoo. You have to have some kind of permission to be in the country in order to serve.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/15/us/15immig.html?pagewanted=all

The military does not allow illegal immigrants to enlist, and that policy would not change, officers said. Recruiting officials pointed out that volunteers with temporary visas would have already passed a security screening and would have shown that they had no criminal record

[saras]

19. That makes sense, which is why I didn't expect it...

[Frank Cannon]

20. Service Guarantees Citizenship!

Would you like to know more?

[Le Taz Hot]

21. How White of him.

:eyes: