Educating immigrants would help Utah

Webb: The political dynamics of the Legislature's immigration debate are fascinating. It's a classic case of the state's "establishment" (broadly defined) vs. grassroots populism.

The establishment has come together on this issue in a strong show of unity. Utah's leaders, almost unanimously, oppose onerous and punitive immigration legislation. A broad federation of interests, some organized under the Immigration Policy Coalition, is encouraging further study to enact sensible and reasoned immigration reform. This loose federation is big and potent, comprised of the state's most powerful organizations, including leaders of the LDS Church, other religious leaders, Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., and a who's who of top business executives (including leaders of most chambers of commerce, and industry associations representing hotels, agriculture, manufacturing, real estate, homebuilding, general construction, trucking, independent businesses, tourism, restaurants, international business and business recruitment).

This federation also includes numerous religious, nonprofit, and advocacy groups, along with the editorial boards of most daily newspapers and broadcasters. It includes numerous Hispanic organizations, and lots of lobbyists. (Disclosure: I helped organize the IPC with the Salt Lake Chamber.)

Arrayed against this federation (perhaps the biggest, broadest coalition pulled together on one issue in many years), stands a very noisy, very threatening grassroots group of anti-immigrant zealots who can generate numerous phone calls, e-mail messages, and cards and letters to legislators.

This standoff is tough for lawmakers, most of whom aren't anti-immigrant and don't want to make laws that would damage the economy or hurt young people seeking a college education. Most legislators also know this issue must be resolved at the federal level, not with a patchwork of inconsistent state laws.

Some legislators worry that the anti-immigrant activists will hurt them come election time, while the business leaders and other establishment organizations won't really punish them. The right compromise is to support Sen. Scott Jenkins' task force bill and give this issue the interim study it deserves.