The Hill News

Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio defended Texas Gov. Rick Perry on Tuesday for his stance on illegal immigration, responding to a question on Perry's support of extending in-state tuition breaks with "so what?"

Arpaio is well-known for his tough stance and controversial methods addressing illegal immigration. His endorsement of Perry, and subsequent campaign stumping, provide a strong boost for Perry's immigration stance. Perry has been attacked by many of his fellow GOP candidates as "soft" on immigration due to his support as governor of extending in-state tuition breaks to undocumented students who have graduated from Texas high schools.

“So what, even if there is that little problem, why should we not recognize what he’s done at the border?” Arpaio said in a joint appearance with Perry on conservative Sean Hannity's radio show. “You have to have an ID when you go to vote [in Texas], why don’t people talk about that?”

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