When asked, "Do you favor or oppose a program that would allow undocumented immigrants now living in America to remain in the country and earn citizenship without penalty," 57 percent said they favored that while 39 percent opposed it.

No line jumping

Cannon said discussion among congressional members also indicates that most want to ensure reform will recognize that "being here illegally will not get you at the head of the line for citizenship over those who come later" legally.

In short, undocumented aliens would start at the back of the line whenever they come forward to seek legal status, but the sooner they do so, the farther in line they would be.

Also, Cannon said various steps are also being discussed that could help prevent giving welfare, government-paid health care or extra government services to temporary guest workers.

That includes, he said, looking at possibly requiring employers of "guest workers" to ensure they will have health insurance, or to require workers to have "health savings accounts." Cannon said that would cut down on complaints by some states and hospitals about spending on illegals and other immigrants.

(The Deseret Morning News/KSL-TV poll showed 79 percent feel illegals should receive emergency hospital care even if they do not have health insurance or cannot afford care. Twenty-six percent say the federal government should pay for it; 11 percent say the state should; 6 percent say hospitals should; and 26 percent said charities should.)

Cannon said reform may also include more sanctions against employers who do not pay Social Security taxes because that shows they know employees are illegal.

Cannon also expects reforms to address crime and lack of assimilation which he thinks is at the root of resentment by many anti-immigration groups.

"What we may do is end up revising the standards for citizenship," including having more consistent standards among states for how much English new citizens must speak and how well they understand the culture, he said. "I have known people who could not pass the English test in Utah and went to California because it was easier."

Cannon said, "If you want to be a citizen, you will likely have to go through a serious process. You will have to become American, not just be here. You will have to speak the language and learn how the culture works."

He expects that reform will require anyone wanting to enter or stay in the country to provide fingerprints, go through criminal background checks, and to prove over a long period that they are law abiding — or they would be deported quickly.

Reform smorgasbord

Cannon and Hatch note that myriad other reform ideas are floating around Congress, including some they are pushing themselves.