Illegal Immigration Key Issue in GOP Debate

Perry, Romney Come Out Swinging Early in GOP Debate

The Fox News-Google GOP Presidential Debate



Some of the information for this story comes from USA Today.  The topic of illegal immigration took center stage at the GOP debate in Orlando, Florida.  Fox News and Google sponsored the debate.  In the third Republican debate in three weeks immigration joined Social Security as the fireworks between the two leading GOP contenders so far in the presidential debate--Texas Governor Rick Perry and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney.  Romney accused Perry of creating a "magnet" in Texas for illegal immigrants by offering in-state tuition at colleges for children regardless of their immigration status.  Romney said that shouldn't be happening at all.  Perry charged back with the statement, "If you say we should not educate children who come into our state . . . by no fault of their own, I don't think you have a heart," he replied. 

At one point in the debate for Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum jumped on the tuition issue as well.  He said, "Why should they be given preferential treatment as an illegals in this country?"  "That's what we're saying.  So I say Perry is soft of immigration, that fact that he doesn't want to build a fence."  It's obvious from the exchange Perry had with Romney and Santorum that he (Perry) doesn't stand on the right side of the issue over illegal immigration. 

There needs to be a triple-tiered border fence built along the southern border from Texas to California, except at certain checkpoints.  It needs to be the type of fence which doesn't have ladders that illegals can climb upon to get into the country.  It has nothing to do with being anti-immigrant.  It's about border security and protecting America.  I understand why many Mexicans come to America. I understand anyone that desires to immigrate to America.  America has always been the land of opportunity.  I'm for immigration as long as the rules are followed concerning those who cross our border.  There are right ways to handle this situation.  As far as tuition breaks are concerned, it's not fair to the citizens of the United States for illegals to have to pay less tuition than those students who are legal U.S. citizens.  That's the way it should be.  However, that's not part of the agenda.  Anyone who believes that Rick Perry's a conservative and is going to protect our borders better think again. 

I have posted a YouTube clip of the Fox-Google debate from Thursday, September 22, 2011.