Utahns hopeful for immigration reform

President Bush's renewed call for a new guest worker program, along with better border enforcement, has at least some Utahns hopeful that a viable immigration reform package could be on the horizon.

The president called for adding new technology to border security and doubling the Border Patrol. He also called for a guest worker program to make it easier for immigrants to work legally, along with resolving the status of illegal immigrants. "without animosity and without amnesty."

Given that the president is a Republican and the Democrats control Congress, any comprehensive reform will likely be "somewhat simple and focused on a few big issues," said Kirk Jowers, director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics.

"I think his immigration proposal is probably the one that has the highest likelihood of actually getting support in Congress and maybe seeing action," Jowers said.

Jowers isn't the only one in Utah optimistic about reform. Some of those eyeing a slate of bills targeting illegal immigration hope that state lawmakers will give the federal government a chance at reform.

Among those is Tony Yapias, chairman of the Utah Hispanic Democratic Caucus, who said he's more optimistic for reform this year than in the past.

"Over the last few years, it has fallen to deaf ears," Yapias said. "This time I think everybody is talking about it. ... This is a good opportunity."

Also optimistic is Rep. Karen Morgan, D-Cottonwood Heights, who is sponsoring a measure seeking federal compensation for the costs of illegal immigration and another creating a minimum $50,000 civil penalty for document fraud.

"I was very pleased to hear him address the issue of illegal immigration," Morgan said. "It's so important, particularly to the Western states."

Last year, Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., along with Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, led a call by the Western Governors Association for comprehensive reform that would include enforcement and a guest worker program.

"The governor is very pleased that President Bush is committed to addressing the illegal immigration issue," Huntsman's spokesman, Mike Mower, said. "We think there is a renewed commitment in Washington after the November election to finally deal with the illegal immigration issue."

But Senate Majority Leader Curt Bramble, R-Provo, isn't holding his breath. The debate reached a stalemate last year when a Senate bill calling for legalization of many of the nation's estimated 12 million illegal immigrants was never resolved with a get-tough House measure.

"I hold out little hope," Bramble said. "Congress will do that which Congress does best, which is nothing."