Reader comments
Revive the DREAM Act

Please No | 1:40 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

The Senate has tried multiple times to pass amnesty bills this year. Each time, it has triggered thousands of angry phone calls from constituents who clearly oppose the rewards for crime program.

If the Deseret News is going to continually encourage amnesty towards illegals, they need to end their policy of refusing to print names and immigration status when illegal aliens are involved in crimes throughout the state.

There have been at least two dozen cases in the past year where this information has been omitted from stories published in the News. Pretty much everyone I know has been a victim of illegal alien crime at some point, and the anger levels are rising. Congress must act quickly before the situation worsens.

Wilkey | 2:06 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

*** "Opponents of the act (which stands for Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors) say it rewards illegal behavior and is a first step to amnesty. This is the same sort of muddled thinking that killed a comprehensive immigration plan earlier this year." ***

Uhhh, sorry? What's muddled about thinking that a bill that rewards illegal behavior - with in-state tuition and, ultimately, citizenship - is, well, a reward for illegal behavior?

No, it's not muddled thinking. It's very clear thinking. That's why Comprehensive Immigration Deform, with it's doublethink language of "comprehensive" and "earned legalization" in place of "amnesty," and "undocumented" for "illegal," failed - because writers and radio hosts skewered and roasted it like a boar at a luau. The Orwellian doubletalk proved their dishonesty form the get-go.

Let these young people pursue their dreams - legally - in their native lands. Mexico has colleges, too.

Craig | 4:17 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

There are legal residents of this country who can not afford to go to school. How about the farm kids in Preston Idaho who would like to attend Utah State? They can not because of out of state tution but a illegal who was snuck in could get those rates. This is not fair. If some non state citizens are going to get special favors treat all the same or acknowledge there are some things some can not afford.

Comments continue below

MEB | 4:43 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

Another pro-illegal immigration editorial from DMN.

Rather than continue to present legislation that the majority of Americans oppose, why don't our lawmakers craft a bill that Americans will support? How much opposition did they see against building a fence, yet have they built it?

Polls have shown that roughly 80% of Americans want the problem fixed, with no amnesty. 80% of Americans does not represent a fringe minority. I think most could buy into a guest workers program if it were set up to serve the interest of Americans, and not the guest workers.

Jobs for Americans first, then bring in alternate labor on a temporary basis as needed. Place the burden of that labor on the employers who want to hire them.

This issue is probably the only one on the forefront of today's debates that crosses party lines. Both Democrats and Republicans alike want it fixed, and very few want amnesty outside of our lawmakers.

Do what the public wants, and you won't continue bumping your head against that pesky 'opposition'.

lamonte | 4:53 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

Thank you for your editorial support of the DREAM Act. The illegal immigration issue is an important and contentious issue in our country. Efforts like the DREAM Act acknowledge that it is unlikely we will ever successfully deport all of those - or even a fraction of those - who are here illegally. Instead, the DREAM Act tried to make the best of a bad situation. Unfortunately some politicians and some private citizens would rather just hear themselves talk rather than try to do something constructive. Thanks again.

Tim | 6:00 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

Good to see that a few politicians are looking at real solutions, especially when our military is short-handed and our high schools have a big drop-out rate (largely due to illegal immigrants).

Pete | 7:32 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

The senator Orin Hatch should concentrate on helping the citizens of the United States, not those of a foreign country. That is what he was elected to do in the first place. How dare he take our money for his philanderous yearning. Time to go Hatch, bring back term limits if you want to help America.

line_doggie | 8:12 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

Senator Hatch,

How about a Reservist right to work act, instead. Seems too many of us who serve do not have their hobs held open, especially in Utah, in violation of USERRA.

Utah employers hide behind the work at will laws to justify blanatnt dicrimination against those of us who served and serve.

It's time to end this discrimination and force Utah to follow the federal law.

Anonymous | 8:49 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

As a fifth-generation Italian-American, I am opposed to any and all immigration.

Mr. Businessman | 8:50 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

If the Mexicans are legalized, they can still be exploited, right?

censored | 8:51 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

Their stance on illegal immigration is almost enough to get me to register as a Republican so I can vote against Hatch, Bennett, and Cannon in the primary. Canï¿½t vote a Democrat; weï¿½d have no border under them. Iï¿½ll once again infer that perhaps Rep. Cannonï¿½s pro-illegal stance has something to do with his business interests and see if this comment, like my 4:55 AM comment (that never made it to the web page), gets censored.

Future minded | 8:51 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

I yearn for the day when 100 percent of all workers are illegal immigrants and we as a nation can devote all our time to whining about them.

It's not fair | 8:58 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

New Haven, CT is the first city in the nation to offer ID cards to illegal immigrants, thus granting them privileges such as library cards and bank accounts.

It's bad enough they're taking the jobs I don't want, but now they're getting the services I don't use.

The American Way | 9:08 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

Why not pass a bill to round up illegal immigrants, ship them off to a 4-day bootcamp, then put them on the ground in Baghdad to fight insurgents?

This would give the Mexican immigrants the chance to do more with their lives beyond breaking their backs in the fields and cleaning hotel room toilets.

Rallies are smaller | 9:11 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

The recent Labor Day immigration rallies drew fewer numbers than the marches held from earlier this year.

If itï¿½s true that these illegal immigrants are too lazy to fight for their rights, then that just proves how American they truly are.

Julie | 9:27 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

With lamonte, I also want to thank you for your editorial support of the DREAM Act. With the exception of American Indians, all U.S. citizens are decended from immigrants, many of whom were fortunate in immigrating when the U.S. had an open immigration policy. I am grateful that my ancestors had the opportunity to come to this nation to pursue their dreams, and I want to extend this opportunity to others, particularly to those who have innocently lived their lives here through the choices of their parents. The DREAM Act can be a healing first step in mending our broken immigration policy.

Penelope | 10:06 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

"Sens. Hatch and Durbin and 50 other members of the U.S. Senate have captured that vision. "

No, it's not that Hatch, Durbin, Bennett and the others have "caught the vision", they have refused to listen to the "vox populi" who they were elected to serve. The DMN also turns a deaf ear to its readers. You can write as many editorials and slant as many news articles as you want, it does not alter the facts. The citizens of our country, by a great majority, want our leaders to protect our sovereignty and our tax dollars, and provide a way for these needy people to enter our country in reasonable numbers LEGALLY. The ones who have stolen the identies of our citizens should be punished and sent back to their own country. Period. I'm tired of Hatch and Cannon doing what they please without taking the wished of their LEGAL constituents into consideration. Next time around, as last, I will vote for anyone who opposes their stand on illegal immigration.

White, picket fence | 10:08 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

If a fence must be built to keep out Mexicans, why not make it a white picket one to show the world how warm and friendly America really is?

hb | 11:11 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

The issue is not immigration but ILLEGAL immigration. That key word seems to get omitted in a lot of pro-illegal immigration arguments.

Wilkey | 11:13 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

*** "Efforts like the DREAM Act acknowledge that it is unlikely we will ever successfully deport all of those - or even a fraction of those - who are here illegally." *** - lamonte

Lamonte, NO ONE - is arguing that we can or should deport them all. The efforts of those of us who favor enforcement are centered on getting laws enforced that will make it harder to live here as an illegal. Fine and punish employers who hire them. Bar illegals from getting driver's licenses, car registrations, or public education. Remove the incentives for being here and most will go home on their own.

The open borders crowd claims that it's now too big a problem to do anything but grant amnesty. Once we give them amnesty they'll claim that it's too small a problem to be worth our while, until the numbers get up into the millions, when once again it will be too big. In the eyes of the open borders nuts, there will never be a time when the conditions for enforcement are "just right."

If we let anyone come here, even in violation of the law, do we even have a country?

michaelh | 11:29 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

What part of NO do you not understand? Hatch and Bennett will NEVER EVER GET MY VOTE AGAIN!!!
NO to the the DREAM ACT, NO, NO, NO, NEVER!!!

tenx | 12:01 p.m. Oct. 25, 2007

Please No and Penelope have it correct. I agree 100% with what they say. DMN/KSL poll 10 days ago indicated 70% of Utahn are against Illegal Immigration and any attempt to hide a pro illegal bill. Channel 2 and Channel 4 snap polls show 83 and 84% against. Wake up Hatch and Bennett and listen to the Ameican tax paying citizen. The way the pro illegal politicians bring the bill up in the middle of the night and name it something like Defense Spending shows that they are dishonest in this matter. Keep fighting them America. Legal immigration works - you just have to stand in line for a few years and pay fees and wait...wait... like we have done with my in-laws. Let's all get ready for the next round and swamp those telepone and email lines in Washington. This is a fight between the people vs the clowns in Washington.

tenx | 12:17 p.m. Oct. 25, 2007

I agree with Please No and Penelope. Every comment list I read is always about 80% against Illegal Immigration. When will our Senators represent the people?

dmk | 12:39 p.m. Oct. 25, 2007

I've noticed how some posters above wallow in the words "legal and illegal" trying to hide their racial bias. Strictly "law of the land" stuff.

Let's be honest. We could spend a lifetime sorting through laws present and antiquated that are absurd and wrong. This issue is much more complex than some think and I can't help think crafty politicians are behind this one too.

Julian Wright | 1:07 p.m. Oct. 25, 2007

This is a good example of why we should have term limits. You have to look at the overall ramifications of this bill. It would be devastating to our country. This would create thousands of Illegal Aliens. Just what we need, more anchor babies and more crime!

Don | 1:27 p.m. Oct. 25, 2007

Let the Fat Cats destroy this country, I will
not lift a finger to defend it any more. The
corruption is so bad, even my church wants the
constitution destroyed,all the while, we are
spoon fed sweetness and light.

Anonymous | 3:02 p.m. Oct. 25, 2007

The whole world is festering with unhappy souls,
the French hate the Germans, the Germans hate the Poles.
Italians hate Yugoslavs,
South Africans hate the Dutch ...
And I don't like anybody very much.

MEB | 3:49 p.m. Oct. 25, 2007

Anonymous - Apparently you don't like yourself either. What did this have to do with the Dream Act again? Or Don's comments? Stay on topic, everyone...

Anonymous | 4:33 p.m. Oct. 25, 2007

Whoa MEB! Are you the self-appointed blog police?
This is from an old song poking fun at the divisiveness in the world.

Just read any blog from this website and you will find people divided on virtually everything!

Liberal vs. Conservative hate messages everywhere is a good place to start.

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