Many have asked me where Rick Perry stands on illegal immigration. I think one of the main reasons people are fascinated with him is that he's a rugged, decent looking man with a swagger and a good Texas accent that brings back images of an old western and a tough sheriff who isn't going to take no guff. Obviously he'd be tough on illegal immigration. Surely he wouldn't be in favor of illegal aliens receiving benefits other Americans couldn't receive. Surely he wouldn't be for seizing the land of Texas landholders. That would be downright un-American and un-Texan of him!

As always though with politics, image is not reality. The truth about Rick Perry is that he stands for both of the above. Not only does he stand for it he actively has pushed for it.

Back in April 2009, when the Tea Party was just taking off, Rick Perry saw his chance to grab the spotlight with his image. He began appearing on every news show he could talking about the 10th Amendment and the secession of Texas. With his suave manner he left the latter up to the imaginations of the people watching. Would Texas actually leave the Union if pushed? Wow, what a leader! Some Tea Party members got in line to get behind this man on a mission.

Having followed illegal immigration for years, I knew just a little about Rick Perry that others did not. I had been following him quite closely. To set the record straight and leave no doubt I started to dig up interviews of him and then put together a mini-documentary on just where this "man without a hat" stood on the issues of illegal immigration, the border fence, the Trans-Texas Corridor and in-state tuition for illegal aliens.

Trans-Texas Corridor

When it comes to the Trans-Texas Corridor, Perry took an active lead in pushing the "three football fields wide" super-highway that would rip a big slash across the state of Texas and connect Mexico directly to the Midwest of the United States. opponents like myself point out that this would further encourage businesses to move to Mexico to produce things and then ship them into the United States, taking jobs along with them. Not only this, but would also facilitate the easy flow of even more drugs, illegal aliens and potential security threats into our country. Perry was such a champion of the idea of the Trans-Texas Corridor that he planned to use Eminent Domain to seize the lands of any Texan who stood in his way and would not sell out to the state and get behind the idea.

TEXAS DREAM Act (In-state tuition for illegal aliens)

In-state tuition for illegal aliens allows illegals to receive the in-state rates to attend college while American Citizens from out of state have to still pay out of state tuition rates. This is continually being pushed as the DREAM Act at the federal level. Texas passed their own DREAM Act under the watchful eye of Governor Perry and he signed it into law in 2001. Not only is this unfair for Texans who are trying to get into college and having their seat taken by an illegal alien, it is doubly so for poor whites in Texas. White kids in Texas do not get the benefits of a minority status for acceptance to a Texas university or special scholarships and loans to attend college that illegal aliens, mostly from Mexico, will receive due to their minority status. On top of these challenges to citizens in Texas, those from out of state have to pay the out of state rates. Do I have to mention again that these are illegal aliens getting these benefits over the children of our country who wish to attend college?

Rick Perry didn't just sit back and watch as in-state tuition for illegal aliens went through the Texas legislature. No, Governor Rick Perry took the lead and actually helped to push and steer in-state tuition for illegal aliens through the legislature and then signed it into law. In a recent 2011 interview with the New Hampshire Leader Union Perry was asked if he regretted his push for in-state tuition for illegal aliens.

"To punish these young Texans for their parents' actions is not what America has always been about," Perry stated.

However, to punish American citizens and their children is perfectly all right in Perry's opinion. By the way, since when are illegal aliens "young Texans?"

Border Fence

You might think that someone like Rick Perry, who actively pushed for using eminent domain to seize land from Texans in order to build an ugly ribbon of concrete through his state in the form of the Trans-Texas Corridor, would have no problems with securing the border. He obviously is not concerned about property rights or environmental concerns with his wide super highway to Mexico. In the video below though you will see that he is indeed opposed to the border fence. He calls it "a cockamamie idea". He insinuates that those pushing for a border fence have claimed that it will solve all of the problems of illegal immigration, drug trafficking and border security. These are the tactics of a disingenuous person though. To throw up an argument that has not been made in order to push your own opinion is known as a straw man. Nobody has claimed that a fence would solve all the border problems.

Rick Perry opposes the border fence. It's simply not possible he gestures. One wonders at the hypocrisy of someone who calls for running a massive super-highway all across his state as entirely possible, yet does not see the possibility of running a fence along the border. It is completely doable and Perry knows this. He just chooses not to secure the border as he continues to chant the mantra of being "tough on border security".

Arizona's Immigration Law

One other note. Since this documentary was made, Arizona passed their SB1070 law to crack down on illegal immigration. In April 2010, Rick Perry was asked what he thought about it. His answer shouldn't surprise you after all that you've read above and after watching the video below.

Rick Perry is taking a stand against Arizona's latest anti-immigration law. [He] believes "it would not be the right direction for Texas." ...

"Texas has a rich history with Mexico, our largest trading partner," he adds, "and we share more than 1,200 miles of border, more than any other state. As the debate on immigration reform intensifies, the focus must remain on border security and the federal government's failure to adequately protect our borders."

The Mini-Doc: Rick Perry: Patriot or Villain?

With all of this in mind, watch the mini-documentary I put together in April 2009. It uses interviews of Rick Perry in his own words stating the above facts about his stance on illegal immigration, border security and the push to create a corridor of drugs and trafficking into our heartland. A little bonus in the video is one person asking Perry at a book signing about the NAU, the North American Union. Perry chuckles off and looks down and away and says he's never heard of it. Ask yourself this, what governor of a border state has never heard of the North American Union or the SPP - Security and Prosperity Partnership that was made with Mexico and Canada?

If you did not know much about Rick Perry, but are concerned about border security, property rights and illegal immigration I hope that this information will cause you to look behind his image. The image that you've seen is a tough talking Texas who won't put up with none of that guff. Surely if you want someone who will stand firm for the Constitution, the property and rights of American Citizens over illegal aliens, and the sovereignty of our nation over the concerns of Mexico - after investigating and watching the video below - you will agree that Rick Perry is not the leader you think he is.

Rick Perry: Patriot or Villain?