Rick Perry has been governor of the nation’s second most populous state since December 2000. In 2012, he briefly ran for the Republican presidential nomination. He was the guest at a June 19 Monitor luncheon for reporters.

On the surge of unaccompanied children from Central America entering the US: 

“This unaccompanied alien children issue … has the potential to be an absolute catastrophe, a humanitarian catastrophe…. I consider it to be a failure of diplomacy by the United States.” 

Recommended: Can immigration reform pass? Five senators to watch.

On prospects for immigration reform:

“Immigration reform is down the list of things you have to do…. The American people do not trust the federal government until they secure the border … with boots on the ground, with strategic fencing in the metropolitan areas, with technology.” 

On his 2012 run for the White House:

“I am glad I ran in 2012 – as frustrating, as painful, and as humbling as that experience was…. Preparation is the single most important lesson that I learned.”

Why he is considering another run:

“Whether I decide to make a run for the presidency or not, I hope to stay engaged … being a person of influence in some form or fashion.”

On the recent Environmental Protection Agency proposal to regulate carbon emissions from existing power plants:

“It will cause huge economic impact on this country … based on … science that is not settled yet on the issue of CO2…. Calling CO2 a pollutant is doing a disservice to the country.”

On his statement to a San Francisco audience suggesting homosexuality was like alcoholism:

“I readily admit, I stepped right in it….”

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