OREM — Colorado Congressman Tom Tancredo says when it comes to illegal immigration, Utahns should hold every elected official accountable — from the school board to the U.S. Congress.

"Don't let someone say it's not my job," Tancredo, R-Colo., told about 150 people Wednesday at a public forum at Lakeridge Junior High School. "Everyone's got a stake in this . . . the federal government has failed."

Tancredo said school boards do have the power over curriculum, textbooks and in English as a Second Language programs. Mayors and city councils can stop so-called "sanctuary" policies and start arresting illegal immigrants.

Tancredo is a staunch critic of lax immigration laws and of President Bush's proposed immigration reform policy, which would give illegal immigrants a way to earn temporary legal status. The visit is part of a multistate tour in which Tancredo is pushing his own immigration proposal that doesn't include any form of amnesty for the estimated 11 million people living in the United States illegally.

Critics, including Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah, who turned down an offer to debate Tancredo, say any plan that rules out the possibility of legal status is too extreme.

"It's an issue that has to be dealt with," said Joe Hunter, Cannon's chief of staff. "To flat out say we oppose anything that might grant (legal status). We disagree. Very few people agree with the Tancredo approach."

Immigrant rights activist Tony Yapias, who attended the forum, said anti-illegal immigration activists are unwilling to compromise.

"How can you look at problems with immigration today if you are not willing to look at possible solutions?" Yapias said. "Immigration reform has to be a part of their talk. You can't just say, 'Let's deport them.' "

Yapias noted that Tancredo himself is a part of the federal government, and "he doesn't do much to help."

Tancredo believes the solution is simple: start punishing employers who hire illegal immigrants, and they'll stop hiring them. Then, the illegal immigrants illegals will leave.

To those who call his plan too harsh, Tancredo, says any form of amnesty would be "incredibly harsh to anyone who has done it the right way and waiting to do it the right way."

Tancredo's Tancredo is hoping that his tour will "fan the fire" and his intention seemed to work for the Utah County audience. He was greeted by a standing ovation and often interrupted by applause. He praised groups such as Utahns for Immigration Reform and Enforcement, which arranged for his visit.

Tancredo is considering a run for president, and is chairman of the Immigration Reform Caucus, which has about 90 members. Immigration is expected to be a key issue when Congress convenes after Labor Day.

"I think we're going to see one hell of a battle," Tancredo said. "I don't know what the outcome is going to be."

Today, Tancredo will be speaking at noon in St. George at the Holiday Inn, 850 S. Bluff St. and at 7 p.m. at the Salt Lake Community College auditorium, 4600 S. Redwood Road.

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E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com