Reader comments
Man gets Utah ID card — at last

Huh? | 12:44 a.m. Dec. 4, 2007

I love how the reporter downplays this guys extensive criminal record: felony robbery, domestic violence, driving without a license/insurance. It sounds like just the sort of troublemaker our immigration laws are designed to deport back home.

If this article is designed to make me feel sorry for "undocumented people who live in the shadows", aka illegal aliens it has failed. Is there any way to appeal the misguided judges decision who wants to pretend that he isn't an illegal alien by saying he was born in California?

What's next, are you going to run a story about the illegal alien in Saint George who raped and murdered a 14 year girl earlier this year and now faces being tried as an adult? Maybe he can hang his prison id on the wall in a few years as well.

Huh2 | 4:55 a.m. Dec. 4, 2007

One should not attack this only writer from their organization, they are all programed liberals on this issue of the Deseret News. None have the quality of being a true patriot.

JCH | 7:20 a.m. Dec. 4, 2007

Not exactly a poster-child for immigration reform.

Comments continue below

Why? | 7:42 a.m. Dec. 4, 2007

Why is anyone working so hard to help this type of man become anything but deported? This person has a long history of crime. Is this ("a traffic fine for driving without license, insurance or registration, and a misdemeanor domestic violence charge" and the felony robbery) what we really want to fight to keep in the USA? Where does he get the money to pay an attorney? He was unable to work here legally, so he gets it... illegally! In my company, we cannot hire those convicted of a felony. He cannot get a job anywhere!

Check your facts | 8:55 a.m. Dec. 4, 2007

This story is incorrect on so many levels. Employers cannot legally employ someone with only a Utah ID card. There are documents required for the form to be completed.

Huh Huh? | 8:59 a.m. Dec. 4, 2007

Wow. I love how judgemental and unforgiving many Utahns are in their comments to DNews articles. The fact that they read the DNews indicates they are likely LDS (or they would probably read and comment in the "other" paper). Yet, the teachings of Jesus Christ go completely over (or through?) their heads. Here's hopin' that you aren't judged with the same judgement you judge.

What? Where? Who? | 9:16 a.m. Dec. 4, 2007

I sense a strong xenophobic undertone. A word which here means a feeling of dislike one has for anyone not like one's self. There are people who are a lot worse than this guy who are here legally and white. Nobody is trying to deport them. Not to excuse his crimes, he should pay the price for what ever crimes he has done. But, to compare this small time crook to a rapist is way overstating the situation. Perhaps we should deport everyone who has had a traffic ticket. Better yet, let's tazer every law breaker. Oh, right. It's already being done.

xenophopic? | 10:08 a.m. Dec. 4, 2007

To: What? Where? Who? | 9:16 a.m. Dec. 4, 2007
Xenophobic? ...dislike him, no but dislike his behavior YES! ...not like me... TRUE! I have a driverï¿½s license and I am insured. I don't steal from others, especially in a way that is considered a felony. I have not been accused of domestic violence and I don't condone it. I have lived in another country, but I did it abiding all the laws. So... not like me!
To those who think I am not forgiving; it isn't a matter of forgiveness; he is unwilling to obey the laws of our land. He lost his rights to be here, live here and work here. As one mentioned we have plenty of people here legally, that are a lot worse than this guy. Letï¿½s not invite more criminals to stay, it won't be merrier, just more expensive for the tax payers.

Legal | 12:01 p.m. Dec. 4, 2007

As the spouse of someone trying to immigrate legally, I too am unimpressed with this story. I agree that the process is long and sometimes ridiculous (having things delayed because they lost a piece of paper from your file), but I think this gentlman is a poor example. There are plenty of people who are doing their best, doing things legally, but still are getting jerked around. Pick a better example, next time please. This gentleman with so much criminal history does not cultivate pity or tolerance... this article backfires in its apparent purpose-to shine a light on immigration difficulties.

sketch | 12:49 p.m. Dec. 4, 2007

I'm so sick of illegal immigrants. I wouldn't hire one even if the government paid his wages and doubled my salary. We give them too damn much as it is.

GoodGuyGary | 1:12 p.m. Dec. 4, 2007

So many people come to this country and try to live an American Dream. Go to BYU, UofU, and USU or other colleges to ask their internal student department and see how many students will need help and would love to live in this country. They worked hard at school, and live as a good citizen and still got denied. Why would this man be better than many other good people? Teaching about Jesus? What would Jesus do if he knows this guy is an illegla immigrant the first place? Will he get in the line ahead of those good students?

GoodGuyGary | 1:18 p.m. Dec. 4, 2007

By the way, this guy is not American and he was guilty for felony charge, that is enough for immigration to depot him. Save some space for those who will be good citizen and pay tax to the country. please.

L | 1:32 p.m. Dec. 4, 2007

Xenophobic at 10:08 - I agree with you, I am honest and law abiding. I have not lived elsewhere. If I didn't follow the laws I would anticipate that I would have to suffer the consequences of my actions and I would expect to.

There is proably more to the story than the DMN present in a few paragraphs, it looks like he has even served time on at least one of the charges. He may have changed and is a really nice guy too, but from his "rap sheet" published in the article, it appears that if he is in the country illegally, maybe that should be taken care of too.

Adopted | 2:16 p.m. Dec. 4, 2007

He's not an illegal - he came here legally when he was adopted by U.S. parents. Years ago, residency was automatic but not citizenship. They have since changed those laws so that adopted children now automatically become citizens.

By no means do I approve of his life to date - but it sounds like he's trying to turn it around - he's no longer a citizen of his birth country, hasn't been there since he was a child, so what do you expect him to do? There are employers who will hire former convicts - let him get his documents, get a job and start contributing to society. Unless you want to start executing/locking up for life all criminals, and allow none of them a chance to reform their lives.

As for his crimes - he's paid his debts. He'll be dealing with the consequences the rest of his life. Do you all really need to pile on? Do we want him back in prison or needing social services because he has no other way to live? How about getting back to the real world.

Shame on you all | 3:14 p.m. Dec. 4, 2007

What happened to the teachings of Christ, "love one another as he as loved you", does that ring a bell for any of you who are speaking out against this person. IF AND WHEN Christ is the head of immigration I do not think he will turn people away. It's Called Repentance and Forgiveness. Maybe some of you should try it.

but... | 4:24 p.m. Dec. 4, 2007

He is still currently disobeying the law. It is his history coupled with the current stuff that bothers me. He has been living illegally since he left jail. It isn't about love or hate. I just think if he is not a citizen and he is a criminal, why fight to keep him here? If he seriously injures someone (like a pedestrian) while he drives his car (unlicensed and uninsured) then who pays for the medical?

GoodGuyGary | 9:39 p.m. Dec. 4, 2007

To but....:

Totally agree your points. It is not about love or hate, it is about fairness. Don't abuse using "Christ's love" on every DN's thread. Didn't we learn to obey the local laws? Wait until you are being treated unfairly, or your family being the victim of this man's crime.

Get a grip | 10:31 p.m. Dec. 4, 2007

He isn't one of the real illegals who snuck into the country and is bringing his immediate family, extended family and every neighbor here as soon as he can, or on the other hand sending every penny home. I have no sympathy for the illegals who come here illegally. They need to get in line and do it right. But, this man sounds like the circumstances of his birth were not his fault. He is for all intents and purposes an American citizen, or a citizen of the US. He deserves the same rights and citizens that we do and the fact that the immigration service was so ridiculous that a child adopted by a a citizen family was given legal status, but not citizen status is simply too much to fathom. It sounds like he has had too much to deal with all of his life. Now we need to help him.

And work against illegal immigration.

Add your comment

Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.

Words Remaining

E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.