Let's put crime, and being a "criminal," in perspective. Driving too fast on the highway, for example, is the second-leading cause of traffic deaths in Utah, according to Zero Fatalities. What's more, the 55 speed-related highway deaths in the state equal the combined number of murders and negligent homicides last year, based on a preliminary report from the Utah Department of Public Safety.

Surely, the loss of innocent life from avoidable traffic fatalities is equally — if not more — damaging to a community than the illegal crossing of the border to get a job. Yet, society continues to function, the rule of law is maintained and there are no punitive demands to clamp down on rampant speeding.

As a society, we recognize that there is a difference between breaking a traffic law and preying on society as a murderer, rapist or violent gang member. Many responsible citizens see similarly reasonable distinctions between such heinous acts of serious crime and the offenses of an undocumented immigrant.

Common sense is lost when your viewpoint can be summed up in the simplistic question, "what part of illegal don't you understand?" This is why such views demean our common humanity, freedom and civil society. Hopefully, Utah lawmakers will decide to amend or repeal SB81 and seek out serious approaches to the ill-effects of failed federal immigration policy.

Derek Monson is a policy analyst for the Sutherland Institute, a conservative, nonprofit public policy think tank in Salt Lake City.