Ads target Cannon on aliens' amnesty

U.S. Rep. Chris Cannon 's proposal to give thousands of undocumented agricultural workers temporary visas and reform the nation's temporary guest worker program has drawn bipartisan support and nearly 100 co-sponsors.

But the Utah Republican has also drawn criticism among those seeking to curb the flow of illegal immigrants into the United States — including the national "pro-borders" group ProjectUSA.

The organization based in Washington, D.C., which wants to end illegal immigration and reduce legal immigration to traditional, sustainable levels, gives Cannon D's and F's for his immigration positions.

And ProjectUSA has placed billboards in the heart of Cannon's 3rd Congressional District — Provo, Orem and Springville.

The billboards read, "Congressman Chris Cannon wants amnesty for illegal aliens. Do you?"

But Cannon's spokeswoman, Meghan Riding, says amnesty isn't the intent of the congressman's Agriculture Opportunity and Benefits Act of 2003.

Riding said the bill punishes illegal workers with fines, requires them to keep a steady job and creates a means to keep track of workers.

"What we feel this does is really provide a framework for this industry," she said. "Quite frankly, we do depend on immigrants who work in this field."

Cannon also supports a broader bill, which would extend the temporary worker benefits to those in any profession.

Tony Yapias, director of the Utah Office of Hispanic Affairs, said probably around 50,000 undocumented immigrants live in Utah. Of those, he said as many as 40,000 could be eligible for the proposed guest worker programs.

ProjectUSA executive director Craig Nelsen said both bills do provide amnesty. He said by rewarding those who broke the law to enter the United States, they'll encourage others to do the same.

"What we have here in this country are these politicians wanting to score cheap political points, pay off those who profit from cheap labor without taking into consideration the long-term consequence of their actions," he said of the bills.

Another opponent of Cannon's bill is his Republican opponent, congressional candidate Matt Throckmorton. Throckmorton hopes his closed-border stand against the influx of illegal immigrants will help him sway Republican delegates in the 3rd District.

"We think you have to make a distinction between those who abide by the law and those who don't," he said. "We have upwards of 5 million people stacked at the border, wanting to come here legally. They've applied, done background checks, health screenings."

However, it seems unclear just how much of an issue immigration will be in Utah — for delegates this spring or for voters this November.