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Major immigration bill held by Senate

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GM | 2:24 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
Compassion should be given to those who have been waiting for years to enter the US. They are always forgotten in this dialogue. They deserve our compassion and praise for respecting our laws. Those who break our laws do not.
dave 4197 | 2:25 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
It's just a bad idea. An idea who's time has not come yet, and will go away in the face of public input soon. Utah will be embarrassed by this present out of step effort. The Church will be embarrassed by these wrong minded efforts of its people who try to legislate against compassion and poverty in this way. Even the feds don't have a real penalty for "illegal" immigrants. Utah please don't embarrass us with this wrong minded bill 81.

No amount of word smithing will do any good. Put it in the round file and work on something important. Like how to improve education in the state, and include immigrants. Like send a message to Washington D C that they need to trash the existing immigration rules, for our neighbors from Mexico, and they need to encourage tolerance by us citizens. Not tolerance after assmiilation, not tolerance after waiting in line, not tolerance after they find a job, not tolerance after passing over some other hurdle. But real tolerance for our poor neighbors from Mexico. Then helpfulness.
oahf | 2:33 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
Lost is the dialouge is the fact that our immigration laws are antiquated, needless, and beauracratic. If we simplified the laws into something useful, people wouldnt' have to wait years, employers could hire legally, competition would thrive, the fair market system would run as its intended. Instead, we fight and bicker to support this huge, money draining government agency that does no good, and we strive to keep the market placed unfairly balanced by eliminating cheap labor.
How conservative is that?
Comments continue below
My Humble Opinion | 2:54 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
There are MANY American citizens who are married to Illegals. When they married, these issues were not a big deal.

1. We've filed papers to legalize.

2. We must leave the country to legalize my wife and children.

3. We cannot leave to do so, because Curtis Bramble took away drivers liscenses, so my wife and children cannot board a plane.

4. The laws to come legally make it impossible to do so.

5. It is not the State's responsibility to act on immigration in this way. It is the State's job to put pressure on Washington to fix it there FIRST! Then the States can begin to act if needed.

6. AS and American Citizen, it should be fairly easy and not too expensive for me to marry Whom I want. American or not. But it is all but impossible to repair a mistake made years ago in this situation.

7. Many of you would hate my wife and children. You would split up our family for years, if not forever. And you go on as if nothing has happened. Something is happening. A good woman, and beautiful children are being destroyed. Magnify this by 15-20 million. I'm crying
Jerry R. | 3:02 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
The majority of Utahns demand action on illegal immigration now. The laws already accomdate LEGAL immigrants. In our country the rule of the majority rules the day. I hope all lawmakers will support the law and not set a double standard for illegal lawbreakers.
Rob72 | 3:19 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
So, what does the bill mean by transporting? Is it like mass trafficking of illegal aliens or can we get in trouble for simply giving someone a ride? Are we going to have to ask everyone that gets in our car to show legal status now? I have many Hispanic and Asian friends that I give rides to all the time and I am not going to be asking them for immigration status when giving them a ride. I know it may sound silly to some, but with the way things are going, I would not put it past some zealous lawmaker to mean just giving someone a ride.
Support the Legislature | 3:33 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
Senators Hatch and Bennett met with the State Legislature and said Federal Immigration Laws won't change before the election - or maybe even until 5 years from now. Since the Feds won't do anything about this, I am grateful that the State Legislature IS trying to do something to curb illegal immigration in our state, and they have my support. IF we grant amnesty to 20 million people, the next thing they will want is family reunification, because it is "unfair" to separate families. It is estimated that 5 additional people will come for each one granted amnesty. Thats 125 Million more people into our country within a period of 10 years. Is that the kind of America you want to end up with??? Where will the water and infrastructure come from. How will we generate the additional electrical power for them? These are real issues we need to consider. Do you love America and want to keep some order to it, or do you want it overrun???
barak | 3:48 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
108 million Mexicans in Mexico
300 million US citizens.

So even if half of all Mexicans (still in Mexico) it would only about double the current amount of Latinos in America.

However in a divided 50/50 political democracy even a few percent end up as the power brokers and thus basically void the two party system.

Even France, England, Belgium have stopped their laws giving citizenship baby born to foreign parents.
Anonymous | 3:50 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
To Humble opinion. I'm in that situattion. I'm an american cutizen, but my husband is illigal we filed for his greencard and know he might have to leave the country for up to 10 years, when he returns he needs to prove that he has been out of the counry all 10 yrs. And they said I cannot go live with him because I am an AMERICAN citizen.
They Caved | 3:52 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
The pro-illegal immigration forces have won again.

But hey, at least we'll have cheap produce!
rick | 4:11 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
Our state seems to be a magnet for illegal immigrants. Our education dollars are being stretched to educate their children. our medical facilities are being over run with their needs of course they don't have the means to pay. I have a friend who is married to a fellow one day she comes home to find 7 uncles, whatever in her home. apparently the only people prospering off this situation are the profit driven employers its nice to build wealth off the labors of others. It would be nice to identify those business profiting and require them to off set the costs they should be paying to educate the kids, cover medical costs, pay for the subsidized housing. Let the voices of be compassionate pay for the extra tuition, medical costs, education. tried of constantly increasing taxes.overcrowded classrooms. truth is if we weren't trying to educate thousands of illegals our own my get a better education. with other states tightening the belt where do you think they're coming. and as the ecomomy slows who job do you think they will take next.
barak | 4:21 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
My friend is a cop in Ogden I asked about what ratio of his calls involve an illegal immigrant.... 3 out of 4.

For decades Americans and Utahns haven't made much of an issue about illegals because we were mostly happy to see them become part of the American dream and they were nearly all hardworking family loving people (the sort we need more of in this country) Reagan signed the first amnesty bill to offset the power of the unions and Bush nearly signed the second.

However Latino ghettos and urban gangs explosive growth is what is making Americans say fix it! (meaning the welfare and crime problems associated with too much too fast immigration policies) How is that racist?
barak | 4:21 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
The black community used to struggle with this same thing where majority of hardworking decent sort take heat for the urban ghetto sorts. Part of this is because of "identity politics" it cuts two ways once you lump yourself in as a group you take the blame for the other part. Black community leaders have learned to distance themselves and condemn "the few trouble makers".

Latino community leaders also need to learn this lesson. In fear you think if you don't defend everyone of your race then you will all suffer. Truth is the opposite. Most of the suffering now is because latino leaders havent vocally enough condemned the latino gangs and permant welfare urban lifestyle. (which represents only a small wart sized group of the whole)
construction worker | 4:17 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
Ha, very funny. Yeah, try making it illegal for businesses to hire illegals. All you have to do is look at every construction site in the state and you have dozens of illegal immigrants working. Try to have those companies fined or prosecuted for hiring illegal immigrants and see what a fine mess the state will be in.
just checking | 4:18 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
but there are 50,000 irish who are undocumented also according to the INS. Add all the numbers together and the numbers are still growing in all the undocumented. I pray for my children as I will be leaving to set up elsewhere, they will be entering a workforce which will be drastically effected by all these numbers as they migrate into this state. I don't blame them as Word is out in the surrounding states about how hospitalble Utah has become. Perhaps our law makers haven't been listening and should just give them the vote so others can take their place. When one decides to infiltrate another country by illegal means it then becomes a hazard of the game to expect less then favorable circumstances. The present system is obsolete and too archaic to handle such numbers as will be comming. Had our leaders really been studying and shown vision way before hand ..they would not be worrying about re-wording this bill. Be ready for the onslaught, then we see just how compassionate everyone is with the overcrowding.
Disgusted | 4:26 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
Apparently, "palatable to religious and business organizations" is another word for maintaining the status quo. When are we going to start enforcing the law and stop dancing around this issue??? The best way to impact the illegal immigration problem is to penalize employers who hire them. And I have little sympathy for anyone who knowingly marries an illegal. The states need to do what's right for its citizens because the Federal Government certainly isn't going to. Might offend a few Hispanic voters!

Unreal | 4:31 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
To Dave 4197: You seem to be the constant voice for throwing up our hands and giving it all away to the illegals. You must be a business man who benefits from the cheap labor of illegals. I happen to think this is an important piece of legislation, and so do most people living in the state. If all this embarrasses you, then move on to a more illegal friendly place.
Anonymous | 4:34 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
I don't understand. I came here under a f-1 visa, finished my degree and got married to an american. We didn't go back to our home country to apply for the residence. Expensive yes, but in 7 months, we got the cards. Maybe because I was always legal? I know another person who came under a tourist visa and overstayed. She got married and applied too. She also got her card in about 7 months. I really don't know why those other spouses are asked to come back to their countries to apply for residence. Sorry for being sceptical but is that true?
Anonymous | 4:35 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
Humble Opinion.....keep crying. You knew what you were doing was wrong when you married an illegal. There are always consequences to bad decisions, and yours was a very bad decision.
katie | 4:38 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
Something has got to be done now by our government to handle illegal immigrants, Its a joke, when you work with the public and a hispanic comes in you say hi and they immediately say "speak spanish", im tired of catering to them. They expect you to barter with them because thats what they do in their countries.
The minute they come across the border, they are breaking the law, at what point are we going to uphold our laws.
When a white person goes in for a job and a hispanic goes for the same job---the hispanic gets it because they are a tax credit for the company they apply to work at.
Illegals are welcome as long as they come legally, learn english and abide by our cultures as well as theirs.
Anonymous | 4:54 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
To Katie
"Illigals are welcome as long as they come legally" then they would not be illigals. would they?
Pleasantville | 5:02 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
Perusing these posts on this subject, one would swear they accidentally tapped into a skinhead or KKK blog.
Pleasant reading, isn't it?
Brittany | 5:10 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
Ditto to Pleasantville..
Frankly I'm getting sick of it..
These Students are the Cream | 5:18 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
This United States is the only country the undocumented students recieving in state tuition have known. They would be strangers in the country of their citizenship. They grew up here, they have the culture of the United States and of Utah.

These are the kinds of immigrants that have helped to make America a great country. They are people of intelligence and they have goals and ambitions.

I hope Utah does the right thing by choosing to treat these students as we would want to be treated in similar circumstances.
ProAmerican | 5:46 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
Illegals are descending on Utah!!!! Do you know why? - because other states have enacted laws to deal with them. So they just hop to the next state - UTAH!! Stories in USA Today quote the illegals saying they are headed to Utah. This legislation needs to be passed NOW - and not watered down to satisfy and SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS. Religious leaders need to keep their noses out of the legislative process. If they don't they are nothing more than another special interest group that is conflicting with the will of the citizens. I'm LDS - but am disgusted with my leaders. Neither my church, noR any church, should involve itself in this issue - especially when the majority wants real action now.
Brain Wrap | 6:12 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
In other words, Hickman is taking his orders from the LDS Church. And just when I thought the legislature was growing a backbone.
Hey Bill, Listen UP | 6:14 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
The heck with consensus Bill, you do what is right. The right thing to do is to deport illegals, with time considerations given to families, fine businesses that knowingly hire them, and to make English the official state language in Utah. Enough is enough. The religious organizations should go to those countries and do their thing. Businesses must hire those who are here legally. Why is this a problem.
Jared M. | 6:24 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
Cry me a river: if you break the law you pay the price. Especially if you knowingly marry an illegal or aid and abet one. Justice and Mercy are emotionless concepts that protect us, only when human emotion is introduced do these concepts become twisted to one's particular philosophy.
Utahn | 6:28 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
The law might be antiquated, but it is still the law. I lived in Mexico for 2 and a half years as a child. We were required to learn spanish, we were not given freebies because we were US ex-patriots, nor would any Mexican speak to us in English when we went to stores, businesses, etc. Of course, we adapted and assimilated since that was what was asked of us.

When someone enters this country and over stays their Visa, or comes in without a Visa they are breaking the law. Their motives might be trying to get a better life, but they have still broken the law.

If laws are antiquated, they need to be changed, there is no doubt about that. This change needs to happen. But until it does happen, undocumented immigrants must abide by our laws as they currently stand.

Once they come here legally, they should learn our language and our culture and assimlate as American citizens, since that is what is asked of them.

I applaud the Utah Legislature for trying to resolve the issue of illegal immigration.

kristy | 6:53 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
Where is your Christianity people?
Regarding the mean spirited immigration bill that the Utah legislators are proposing. Most of the legislator are probably Mormons, I thought Mormons were Christians. If the bill passes most of the nation will see Utah (Mormons) as being mean spirited and without compassion for fellow beings.

There are families involved and children involved many of whom are Americans. Parents are being separated from children, siblings are being separated from each other. Spouses are being separated from each other.

If the bill passes the way it is even Christ himself would become a criminal for helping his neighbor. Legislators where is your humanity and your Christianity?

This issue is not just a legal issue, it�s a moral issue and a human issue. Those who say otherwise do not understand the whole issue. Laws are made and modified all the time. Morality is much greater than legality. We should strive to have laws that are in harmony with that which is moral.
Theresa | 7:21 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
So many self-righteous people in this forum!
They condemn immigrants for braking the law and yet I bet many of them have broken the law more than once. If you ever went over the speed limit on any street or highway or freeway, you broke the law whether you got a ticket or not. It would be very difficult to find a person who never broke the law.
Anonymous | 7:17 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
Hey!
Everybody knows the laws of the land are more important than the laws of Jesus.
Jesus is gone and the laws are still here.
Savvy?
to kristy@ 6:53 | 7:17 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
I call on kristy to be the first to give her money to the illegal aliens to aid them. Of course this will put your family in difficult circumstances, but if you talk the talk you should walk the walk. I understand what is like to be assulted by illegal aliens, it's not very fun and the medical bills are very expensive.
Ledbetter | 7:19 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
It's time to cut twice then measure. Tax-paying Utahns have had it with such brazen law-breaking and our state's decline towards a third world culture.
Anonymous | 7:28 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
Law of the land
vs
Law of Jesus

Score:
You don't REALLY want to know.
Delaware Bob | 7:34 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
DON'T BACK DOWN, UTHA. THIS ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION MUST COME TO AN END.

The problems are just overwhelming with these illegal aliens. These problems WILL NOT go away until each and every illegal alien is out of this country and back in their own country.

Other states will soon be following to pass their laws you can be sure. DON'T BACK DOWN!

If "ILLEGAL ALIENS" are allowed to continue determining America's future, that future will be in stark contrast to its past.
Jasper | 8:18 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
So, dave 4197, now that we know how you feel about foreign lawbreakers in the United States (illegal aliens), why don't you tell us how you feel about American lawbreakers. Should we have tolerance for American lawbreakers too?
Bradley | 8:24 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
Hey Pleasantville, you just proved what people have been saying all along regarding the illegal immigration issue. If you can't make a valid argument in support of illegal immigration (because there aren't any), then resort to calling vile names of those who oppose illegal immigration.
U. S. Lawmakers | 8:40 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
During our current economic downturn, Congress should NOT add any more visas and green cards for any kind of foreign workers. However, that is exactly what Republican and Democratic leaders are proposing to do.


Both the Democratic and Republican leadership of U.S. House and Senate are right now conspiring to bring legislation to the floor to greatly expand the pool of foreign labor in this country -- even as they talk about the need for taxpayers to provide more unemployment compensation for all the Americans who are losing their jobs.

This kind of insanity is nothing new. both Parties have expressed a desire during this time of economic turmoil to sneak through giant increases of H-1B visas for foreign tech workers, H-2B visas for foreign laborers, green cards for permanent foreign nurses and a five-year visa for 12-20 million illegal foreign workers and their dependents.
both Parties have expressed a desire during this time of economic turmoil to sneak through giant increases of H-1B visas for foreign tech workers, H-2B visas for foreign laborers, greencards for permanent foreign nurses and a five-year visa for 12-20 million illegal foreign workers and their dependents.
liberal means change | 8:53 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
Bradly -
Neocons, Rush Limbaugh, and a polarized US are about to become a thing of the past.
Is it November yet?
Anonymous | 8:53 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
Dave 4197, in California where I live there are fifty percent of all illegal aliens in the nation. Wages are shot in every field they work in whether construction,meat packing,masonry,nursery work,etc. Just today, the MSN front page showed the best States to look for work in, and the worst to look for work in. California was in the worst category, whereas it used to be a place where jobs went begging. Now the State is 14Billion dollars in debt. Let the facts speak for themselves, I have no desire to preach to anyone.
Frustrated Man in America | 11:03 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
Let's call a spade a spade. Illegal immigration is destroying our country. I own a business and employ a large group of immigrants. They are all legal. Great workers too. Why are we trying to make Utah "little Mexico"? If the politician's only agenda is to cater to the special interest groups with ballot in hand and check next to their name then they will be a part of the destruction of this "Great Country". Anyone who knows history can look back and see that the greatest of all civilizations crumbled when they started to get complacent and started to allow others to come into their land and live as if foreigners. Not learning the language, not abiding by their laws, etc... The same thing that we see happening right now in America. I am a descendant of an immigrant like most of you probably are. My family stood at Liberty Island and took their vows and pledged their allegiance to our flag and everything it stands for. I am proud of them. If you ask me I am half Yugoslavian half Greek but "All American"! Dang proud of it too! I also speak English!
Stewart | 11:08 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008
This doesn't look like a Christian issue, an LDS issue even a compassion issue. It looks like a sovereignty and cheap labor issue to me.
Blaize | 2:01 a.m. Feb. 20, 2008
When millions of people cross the border illegally and impose their language, their culture, and their way of life upon Americans, this is not immigration but rather an invasion. What difference does it make whether its millions of Mexican soldiers or millions of Mexican peasants if the end result is America demographically, linguistically, and culturally becomes part of Mexico? At least if Mexican soldiers crossed the border Americans would defend their country rather than have people crying "compassion" or denouncing others as "racist" for resisting the invasion. Anyone who calls for "compassion" while the Mexican government actively PROMOTES the violation of our borders by its citizens is a fifth column traitor to the United States and the American people. Americans need to forget the nostalgia of the Ellis Island European immigrants of old arriving and assimilating into America because that is not what is happening today with the Third World immigration from Mexico. What will Utah look like in the future if half its population is Roman Catholic Mexicans? Good bye America. Good bye First World. Good bye English. And good bye Mormon Church.
WatchDog | 8:24 a.m. Feb. 20, 2008
Sen. Hickman, please don't water down your bill till it is meaningless. As Lonsberry said yesterday, be compassionate to those that have to finance these criminal illegal aliens and their underhanded greedy employers.

Start holding them accountable for their criminal actions!
I Dont Get It | 11:07 a.m. Feb. 20, 2008
All this talk about compassion for illegals. How come no one talks about compassion for Americans and legal immigrants who actually follow the law?

The LDS and all churches should stay out of this. It is pretty transparent that what they are afraid of is losing tithe money. They have no idea how to balance a state's budget or administer law and order. In other words, their idea of "compassion" is compassion for their coffers. The jig's up!
Anonymous | 1:52 p.m. Feb. 20, 2008
I Dont Get it, well you know the saying about the squeeky wheel getting the grease. Your right of course, I have never, ever, hears a politician during all of these debates, other than Congressman Tom Tancredo(*Colorado) speak about compassion for the longtime, hardworking, taxpaying, warfighting, American citizens. It is our fault because we allow these politcians to get away with it. In Utah for example, someone like Chris Cannon, who has been enabling massive illegal immigration ever since he has been in office, should have been thrown OUT of office years ago, yet he was rewarded with re-election. What is that saying, God helps those that help themselves.
dave 4197 | 7:29 p.m. Feb. 20, 2008
unreal, you're an original copy of the ubly american. check your polls again, and look around a bigger place than the wasatch front. Everywhere, immigrants are beginning to get a better, fairer shake. Utah is not my state now, I'm not a businessman benefitting from cheap labor. I did live south of the border for a significant period of my life, hablo espanol.
Our wealthy and opulent society can afford to help our poor neighbors from Mexico. With education, business investment, we can better these fine people from our own hemisphere, our own continent. But first, we have to develop real tolerance. Try it unreal.
Bobby | 7:44 p.m. Feb. 20, 2008
I just got back and low and behold, I read that Chris Cannon just announced that "immigration enforcement is not the states business. Hmm, just as some folks predicted he'd say. The more illegal immigratioin for Chris Cannon, the merrier.

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