ABC reports Perry has spoken with Arpaio several times over the phone since entering the presidential race.
Over the past few months, Arpaio has met personally in Phoenix with Republican presidential candidates Michele Bachmann and Herman Cain and he has spoken over the phone with Mitt Romney. In 2008, Arpaio endorsed Romney over Arizona Sen. John McCain.
"Sheriff Arpaio knows the struggle border states face as Washington politicians and bureaucrats fail time and again to properly secure our nation's southern boundary with Mexico," said Gov. Perry. "I am honored to have Sheriff Arpaio's support for my presidential campaign and our shared goals of fighting border crime with more personnel, border fencing and surveillance. A secure border is vital to protecting America's national security, public safety and jobs."
The endorsement from Arpaio could prove helpful to Perry who has faced criticism about his stance on immigration from the Right for his support of DREAM children.
The governor caused a backlash from conservatives when he said in a Republican presidential debate that those who oppose giving in-state tuition benefits to the children of illegal immigrants "have no heart." The remarks came in a September debate hosted by Fox News and Google.
Perry later said his remarks were "inappropriate."
The illegal immigration issue has also been a hotbed for clashes between Perry and GOP presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.
Romney has said that Perry provided a magnet for undocumented immigrants to settle in Texas by supporting a law that allows people who are in the country unlawfully to attend public colleges at in-state tuition rates.
"You said I don't want to build a fence," Romney said. "You talk about magnets -- you put in place a magnet."
Perry has also said the federal government should extend work visas permitting undocumented immigrants to move freely between the U.S. and their home countries, but stressed that he still opposes amnesty or a path to citizenship.
"As president, I will secure the border within a year putting thousands more federal boots on the ground, strategic fencing and aerial resources to fight border crime and make our states and nation safer," Perry said.
No comments:
Post a Comment