Tea Party pressures Perry on immigrants

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Gov. Rick Perry's immigration stance is quickly becoming a punching bag in the presidential fight. On Monday, opponent Michele Bachmann was criticizing Perry's policies in Iowa, and those jabs could really matter when it comes to an increasingly influential group: the Tea Party.

The group's main conservative political point is money -- which translates into jobs -- which now relate to the idea of illegal immigrants taking those jobs and social services.

When it comes to the two candidates in the lead for the GOP nomination, a recent Bloomberg Poll from earlier this month showed Perry is still ahead of Mitt Romney 31- to 21 percent among Tea Party supporters.

But now, some Texas Tea Party people say Perry has some unfinished business that could hurt his campaign, especially with another debate this Thursday.

In January, Perry took on one of the largest immigration issues, making it clear he wanted to ban so-called sanctuary cities. They are places where police are not required to check the immigration status of people they detain, making it easier for illegal immigrants to live there.

"If the shoe is fitting you, then you might not want to be wearing it,” Perry said.

Perry's emergency item failed in both the regular and special legislative sessions. So now, Tea Party activists in the state are handing over 3,000 signatures to the governor, asking him to call another special session or issue an executive order to ban sanctuary cities.

"We're here to help Gov. Perry clarify to the United States of America what his position is,” said JoAnn Fleming, chairwoman of the Tea Party Caucus Advisory Committee.

There have been questions since last week's Tea Party presidential debate about Perry's immigration issues. Along with sanctuary cities, other candidates have mentioned his opposition to a fence on the border and his support for in-state tuition for children of illegal immigrants.

"No matter how you got into that state from the standpoint of your parents brought you there or what have you,” Perry said at the debate. “That's what we've done in the state of Texas and I'm proud."

Lucy Nashed, a spokeswoman for Perry's office, said that people wanting a sanctuary city ban should "communicate their concerns to members of the Texas Legislature. Gov. Perry already agrees that sanctuary city policies must end."

Perry might also take some heat for this something surrounding one of his largest campaign donors in the past has been Houston homebuilder Bob Perry (no relation). Representatives of several prominent businessmen - including Bob Perry -- helped block the legislation in the last session.