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Yahoo - June 12, 2011: Texas' Perry assails Obama on abortion at LA stop [excerpt] Perry also faulted Obama for reversing the so-called "Mexico City policy" that banned giving federal money to international groups that perform abortions or provide information about abortions. Obama struck down the policy during his first week in office, saying it was too broad and undermined family planning in developing countries.

Under Obama "our federal tax dollars can now be used to fund abortion all over the world. With the stroke of a pen, abortion essentially became a U.S. foreign export," Perry said.

[snip]

California Assemblyman Dan Logue, a Republican, has been urging Perry to enter the race and is behind a draft-Perry website. "We like to see him do what he's doing for Texas for the country," Logue said.

Several people in the crowd said they were mostly unaware of Perry but were willing to consider his candidacy, especially given his outspoken opposition to abortion.

"I look for any leader who has strong moral fiber," said Ricardo Brambila, 37, a paper company sales manager from Orange. A Democrat, Brambila said he's uncomfortable with Obama's direction on abortion and stem cells.

Perry is pushing tougher immigration laws in Texas. Brambila said he supports a secure border "but you can't step on people's rights once they are here."

Jose Rodas, 42, who manufactures signs in Los Angeles, said he knew only that Perry opposed abortion. "He has good principles," he added. [end excerpt]

Houston Chronicle – June 12, 2011: Other states leaving Secure Communities (TX expands ICE program] [excerpt] As Texas moves toward expanding Secure Communities, several northern states are dropping out of the program that matches the fingerprints of those arrested against a U.S. [ICE] database.

Last week, before Gov. Rick Perry's announcement that the expansion of Secure Communities would be on the agenda for the Legislature's special session, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick announced his state will not take part in the program.

Massachusetts joins New York and Illinois in ditching Secure Communities amid concerns that the program, which ICE says is intended to identify the illegal immigrants who have committed serious crimes and ensure they're removed from the country, instead has resulted in people who have minor convictions or no criminal records being removed from the country.

In Texas, all 254 counties and some municipalities - including Houston - participate in Secure Communities, checking the fingerprints of everyone booked at jails and detention centers against ICE's database. If the person being booked has a record with ICE, the agency will be alerted. [end excerpt]