Immigration dialogue useful, civil and inspires hope

What's the problem? That was the most important question raised at Gov. Gary Herbert's roundtable to talk and listen to each other about illegal immigration. Ken Bullock, executive director of the Utah League of Cities and Towns, raised the question.

The economy is the primary problem, according to Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff and echoed by representatives of the employer community. Lane Beattie, president of the Salt Lake Chamber, Randy Parker of the Utah Farm Bureau and Dave Layton of Layton Construction said they view immigration as a means of having a stable and productive work force.

Unfortunately, the forum did not allow for an in-depth discussion on Bullock's question. The roundtable was successful in that the dialogue was civil and people listened. All 31 participants expressed their views, and some offered solutions. It showed the value of having different eyes in understanding an issue.

Comments on illegal immigration included closing the borders, arresting all illegal immigrants, extending compassion, creating privilege worker cards, establishing a guest worker program and sending them back, to name a few.

Senate President Mike Waddoups alluded to the redemption of Adam and Eve for their sins, which seemed to hint at a solution to helping those here illegally. All saw the issue as a federal problem with states having to deal with the collateral damage of neglectful national elected leaders. Discussion focused on the problems brought about by illegal immigrants; missing was the discussion of the benefits of immigration, a critical part of any policy analysis.

Historically, immigration has been an economic and work-force issue in the United States, and more so today. Whenever the nation needed workers to build the railroads, pick the crops, work the mines and fill jobs during World War II, it used immigrant labor. Mexico was always seen as "our friendly neighbor to the south." Immigrants were welcomed in time of economic need and a growing economy. Washington politicians now see immigration as the third rail to be avoided, and they left the states to suffer the consequences of their neglect. During the 1992 U.S., Mexico, Canada negotiations of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), all issues were on the table for discussion except immigration and the environment.

Now, with a shrinking economic pie, Americans are fearful and looking for solutions. Opportunistic politicians are quick to make illegal immigrants the source of all our problems — crime, drain on our economy — and call for law enforcement to send illegal immigrants home and close the borders. East Germany tried that, and it didn't stop people seeking a better life.