Gov. Rick Perry, R-Texas, released a campaign statement defending himself from some bruising attacks sustained during the debate regarding his offer of in-state tuition prices to the children of illegal immigrants attending Texas universities.
In part, the statement reads:
If the child was brought into the country illegally by his or her parents, the child must be pursuing citizenship. The bill passed with bi partisan support – with a combined total of five dissenting votes in both chambers – an indication of the widespread belief that children should not be punished for illegal acts committed by their parents.
You may still disagree with the policy, but this statement begins to clarify one point of attack. Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., criticized giving handouts to people “who broke our laws by coming here illegally.” Phrased that way, the idea of a government program available to illegal immigrants sounds repugnant. But Perry’s plan favors children who were brought here by their parents; its not as if they sneaked themselves into the country while adults and thus actively broke the nation’s laws. That might not change your view of the Texas legislation, but it makes Bachmann’s critique less compelling on an emotional level.
