Governor Rick Perry defends Texas Dream Act

During the 2011 republican presidential election debate, Texas Governor Rick Perry was asked about his view concerning immigration problems in the United States. It was asked “Are you going to exert on efforts to stop the abuse of the United States citizens by illegals?” Rick Perry tried to explain his position, and to defend his decision on passing the Texas Dream Act. The Texas Dream Act allows children of the illegal immigrants to get in-state tuition.



The argument of the Texas Governor is presented in the middle of the youtube video starting at 3:11 and at 3:46 minutes.

2011 Republican Presidential Election Debate :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJ0POI1PUdI

His arguments are following:

P 1: Children of illegal immigrants need to be educated.

C 1: Thus, if not, they will become a drag on our society.

P 2: Children were brought to the United States by their parents.

C 2: Thus, they have no fault by their own.

P 3: Texas needs the dream act.

C: Either you support Dream act or you don’t have a heart.

Governor Perry’s argument for the Dream Act commits the fallacy of false dichotomy. The False dichotomy is committed when a disjunctive premise presents two unlikely alternatives as if they were the only ones available, and the arguer then eliminates the undesirable alternative, leaving desirable one as a conclusion. The governor Rick Perry tries to persuade his audience that his decision of passing the Dream Act is important for states of Texas. He explains in his statements that children need to have an education in order to bring prosperity to the state of Texas. Also, these children did not choose to be illegals in this country. However, his conclusion forces the audience to feel that they need to choose sides “Either you support Dream Act or you don’t have a heart”. The argument can be interpreted that if you support the Dream act than you are a good person and this proves that you have heart. If you are against the dream act than you are bad person and you do not have a heart. Perry argument commits false dichotomy because he tries to make his audience to believe that they have only two options. You are either with him or against him. He ignores people who are indifferent about the Dream act and creates an impression that people who are against it are heartless.