Immigration

CNN: Tough illegal immigration foe set to endorse Perry

On November 28, 2011, CNN reported:

An Arizona sheriff who has gained a national reputation for his tough stance against illegal immigrants is set to endorse Texas Governor Rick Perry Tuesday in New Hampshire, Perry's campaign confirmed. Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, whose tactics have caused controversy and spurred civil rights lawsuits, will give his nod to Perry in a Tuesday morning event. Arpaio will also campaign with Perry at several events throughout the state.

Bloomberg: Romney in 2006 Backed Immigration Stance He Now Deems ‘Amnesty’

On November 28, 2011, Bloomberg reported:

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, who charged Republican presidential primary rival Newt Gingrich with proposing “amnesty” for certain illegal immigrants, took a nearly identical position in a 2006 Bloomberg interview, saying some foreigners who entered the U.S. illegally should be allowed to remain and gain legal status.

USA Today: On immigration issues, Mitt Romney's record is thin

On October 5, 2011, USA Today reported:

Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney has slammed Texas Gov.Rick Perry as soft on immigration while touting his own conservative positions on the issue. But beyond a handful of decisions, including one issued the month before he left office and never fully implemented, Romney's experience with immigration issues in his home state is sparse, according to immigration experts in Massachusetts. As governor, Romney moved from being positive on immigration to negative, particularly as it became apparent he was going to run for president, says Westy Egmont, co-chairman of the Governor's Advisory Council for Refugees and Immigrants. Egmont held the same position during Romney's term as governor from 2003 to 2007.

MEMO: Some Things To Consider As You Cover Rick Perry

Like his campaign predecessors Fred Thompson and Jon Huntsman, Gov. Rick Perry’s imminent announcement has inspired buzz and high expectations. Dissatisfied Republicans are in a frenzy over the GOP’s “next big thing.” Unfortunately though they fail to look past the glamour of a budding campaign and see who the candidate really is. We know political journalists will not do the same. Just as Fred Thompson failed to live up to the mythology surrounding his candidacy, America will soon discover Rick Perry is not what he seems. When the excitement around Perry inevitably dies down, as it did with Huntsman, an inherently flawed candidate will emerge. After the jump, some basic information to help guide you as you write about Rick Perry’s record in Texas, along with some important questions we hope this new presidential candidate will answer in the very near future.

Rick Perry: Tea Party Frenemy

Rick Perry was quick to recognize and capitalize on the tea party’s rise in 2009, casting himself as a strong advocate for “state-based” solutions and railing against perceived encroachments from Washington. But activists have been less than impressed with Perry’s deviation from the movement’s hardline stances on immigration, property rights, government mandates and spending itself. See the research after the jump.

AFP: Lawmakers blame fires on migrants, drug smugglers

On June 20, 2011, the AFP reported:

Three US Republican Congressmen said that illegal immigrants and drug traffickers are causing numerous fires blazing along Arizona's border with Mexico.

Mitt Romney On Immigration

2008 Romney: 12 Million Undocumented Immigrants Should Not Be Allowed to Stay Permanently. At the ABC GOP Debate on January 5, 2008, Romney said: “I disagree fundamentally that the 12 million people who come here illegally, should be allowed to stay here permanently. I think that is a form of amnesty and that it’s not appropriate.” [NH ABC Debate, 1/5/08] 2006: Romney Supported Immigration Reform, Saying “I Don’t Believe In Rounding Up 11 Million People And Forcing Them At Gunpoint From Our Country.” “Romney expressed support for an immigration program that places large numbers of illegal residents on the path toward citizenship, but criticized any form of “amnesty.” Romney said, ‘I don’t believe in amnesty.’ But at the same time, Romney said illegal immigrants should have a chance to obtain citizenship. ‘I don’t believe in rounding up 11 million people and forcing them at gunpoint from our country,’ Romney said. ‘With these 11 million people, let’s have them registered, know who they are. Those who’ve been arrested or convicted of crimes shouldn’t be here; those that are here paying taxes and not taking government benefits should begin a process towards application for citizenship, as they would from their home country.’” [Lowell Sun, 3/30/06]