Rick Perry's immigration record includes the following tidbits that neither his supporters nor detractors are aware of, for the most part:

• Children of illegal immigrants have been able to receive in-state tuition at Texas universities, thanks to a law supported by Perry. As the governor proudly said, "Educacion es el futuro, y si se puede."


• Perry called for new investment in infrastructure and an easing of restrictions on border traffic to further deepen ties with Mexico.


• While many conservatives would like to deprive American-born children of the benefits of their citizenship because of their parents' undocumented status, Perry told a New Hampshire newspaper just last month, "To punish these young Texans for their parents' actions is not what America has always been about."


• Perry has spoken out against mandating the use of E-Verify, a federal electronic system for checking prospective workers' immigration status.


• While he doesn't support a full path to U.S. citizenship for undocumented workers, Perry does support a guest worker program to legitimize "illegal aliens."

More: Talking Points Memo, 8/9/2011

So, poised on the brink of what's sure to be a contentious and hard-fought presidential campaign, I'd like to give Governor Rick Perry a big tip of the sombrero for his courageous stands in support of undocumented workers and their families. And I suggest we all do our damnedest to make sure every single Republican voter knows all about this illustrious record of his.