Rick Perry: No new state services for illegal immigrants
Joining a growing chorus of complaints about President Obama’s new policy giving some illegal immigrants a two-year reprieve from deportation, Gov. Rick Perry has advised state agencies that the federal move will not change Texas’ policies against providing services for those who remain in the country.
In a letter distributed to state agencies on Monday, Perry calls the president’s plan “a slap in the face to the rule of law and our Constitutional framework of separated powers.”
“To avoid any confusion on the impact of the Obama administration’s actions, I an writing to ensure that all Texas agencies understand that (Homeland Security) Secretary (Janet) Napolitano’s guidelines confer absolutely no legal status whatsoever to any alien who qualifies for the federal ‘deferred action’ designation,” Perry said.
“In fact, the secretary specifically closed her directive by explaining that [t]his memorandum confers no substantive right, immigration status or pathway to citizenship.”
He continued: “The secretary’s directive does not undermine or change our state laws, or any federal laws that apply within the State of Texas.”
Perry’s advice comes after Napolitano issued guidelines under which deportation of illegal immigrants can be delayed up to two years, a move that could affect as many as 1.7 million people nationwide.
Harold
