Immigration is national matter, not state legal issue

As a famous American once said, "It's the economy, stupid!" But we don't seem to get it when it comes to curbing illegal immigration in America. Instead of building fences on the border, why don't we first start by taking down the "help wanted" signs? That would be cheaper.

Immigration is a national public policy matter, not a legal issue, and it should be viewed as such. America has always used it as a tool for solving our economic and work force problems. Our problems are national and require national solutions. Globalization now requires our economy to be dependent upon our relations in the world marketplace. America has always been a leader in working with other nations because of our values of freedom, opportunity and the dignity and worth of every individual.

Historically, America has used immigration as a tool to solve its economic and work force needs. For example, during World War II when our men went to war, we brought in Mexican workers to do the manual labor and pick our crops while the soldiers were away fighting. In America, in good economic times we have welcomed those foreign workers. However, during economic hard times, Americans become fearful, worried about our future, and look to leaders for hope and solutions; finding none, they turn inward and look for someone to blame. Today, it's illegal immigrants. They are the most vulnerable.

Our national immigration policies are outdated, and our national politicians have not had the courage to renew them or to enforce them. Like many politicians today, their vision of the future is their next re-election, rather than our nation's future. They don't care to see the havoc their neglect has caused in local communities. State politicians are forced to deal with the collateral damage, yet often don't take the time to understand the cause of the problem. They come up with patchwork solutions that deal with symptoms that fuel the fear in people for their political gain; these are limited to sound bites — build fences along the border, send the lawbreakers back, live by the rule of law — regardless of the cost.

Public policy requires thoughtful analysis of the causes of the problem to be solved, and that promotes the public good and our common values. We want leaders who are honest and act out of principle. Sen. Stephen Sandstrom's proposed immigration bill for Utah shows how good intentions without thoughtful analysis of a problem can result in costly public policy and a neglect of the general public's interest. He views the problem as simply legal and enforcement, but does not seem to fully understand it. More disingenuous, he said he did not study the costs of the bill and its effect on the state's budget, the economy and the state's image. Most disturbing, he thought his law would be challenged in the courts. How fiscally and morally responsible is that?