Utah can help U.S. bridge immigration woes

When I look at the task Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., has taken on with immigration policy and the western governors, I am reminded of the poem by Edgar A. Guest with the refrain, "It couldn't be done." It goes:

Somebody said that it couldn't be done,

But he with a chuckle replied,

That "maybe it couldn't" but he would be one

Who wouldn't say so

'till he'd tried.

And try he will. Huntsman will put something on the table for the western governors to work on to begin dealing with the problems and oppor- tunities presented by illegal immigration. He does so at a time when most politicians consider immigration as the political "third rail."

Early in his tenure, he expressed concern about immigration and shared it with President Vicente Fox during his visit to Mexico. He realizes he does not have the answer, but has laid out some basic principles that would help create a workable immigration policy to serve the interests of both the United States and Mexico, including: "some type of guest-worker program, and ways to improve the process by which immigrants can become citizens" (Deseret Morning News, Nov. 18, 2005). It provides a beginning framework to develop a national immigration policy that protects the safety and interest of the American people consistent with basic values.

Utahns have had a robust public debate over illegal immigration with the business community silently supporting the status quo. They are joined by some of the not-so-silent Latino groups. Others believe "illegals" are overloading our public services. While they support immigration, they want illegal immigration stopped and the "illegals" sent back to Mexico. Those who argue that "illegals" take away jobs need to remember that it is the employers, not the workers, that decide who gets hired.

Neither side offers workable solutions. The reality is that America has always used immigration as a way of meeting its workforce needs. It has readily integrated immigrants. And each time this has reinvigorated the American character — the willingness to risk, to work, and to hope for a better tomorrow. It's those values that give our nation the economic edge over other nations who are challenging America's place in the world. At a time when we are rushing to meet our workforce needs with immigrant labor, we must begin offering solutions and supporting our governor as he works toward solving a national problem that greatly affects states.