Reader comments
Senate passes anti-illegal aliens measure

Thank you Senate for listening to the majority of Utahns and supporting what we, as taxpayers and citizens, want done.

Clearly, something needs to be done with illegal immigration, if only to protect immigrants who are here legally. Many legal immigrants cannot find meaningful employment because they must compete with -- or are displaced by -- other immigrants who come here illegally and, because they are illegal, are willing to work at very low wages. Furthermore, employers are much more likely to exploit those immigrants who come to this country illegally. Consequently, our lawmakers must make it more difficult for employers to hire illegal immigrants. Employers should be fined or otherwise punished for hiring illegals. Our country does an excellent job in keeping counterfeit money out of circulation. There is no reason why we can't be just as diligent in identifying counterfeit immigration papers, social security cards and other identification that illegals use to falsely claim legal status.

Way to go senate!!!!! Your bill will make it difficult for illegal immigrants to better themselves by getting jobs or a decent education. So now you are going to have a bunch of illegal immigrants living in poverty in this state. What will you do with them now? Don't give me any of this garbage that they are breaking the law. Illegal immigration has been going on for years, and NOW they declare that it's unlawful? This economy will crash and burn, and I will laugh and laugh.

Good work legislators! Robert is right that the status quo isn't a good situation for the illegal immigrants either. We need to stop sending mixed signals and correct this situation. If we truly need more immigration for the long-term good of this country, we should think strategically, and create a system that fair to everyone, and doesn't just favor those who can hop a fence to get here.

Many are caving in to the businessmen who are lobbying because they use illegals !
They should be arrested instead of listened to.
Hickman is absolutely right. The economy WILL adjust.
The rule of law comes first !

To Die Wahrheit

We got along just fine without them before they came and drove wages down, committed crimes, overcrowded schools and hosptials, etc. The market will adjust just fine when they leave and they will leave when we take awaw the carrot that keeps them here. It's already happening nationwide as other state pull the welcome mat out from under them. They are going home, and we are better for it.

As with most Utah legislation, this one is destined to be settled in the Court of Appeals in Denver.

In California this measure only worsen the situation. Undocumented people drive ANYWAY! just without identification. Can we learn something from other states, before taking measures that have not solved problems? With an identification at least, we can try to track down the individual if necessary.

Its an election year. Something needed to be done or the backlash would have cost many their seats. The business world will be just fine...I will have to buy a lawnmower though!

I realize illegal immigration is an urgent issue, but I think we all need to reassess our emotional-attachment to this issue. Could we be clothing hatred with legalistic terminology ['the law is the law']. I am concerned with our emotion-driven rhetoric on immigration that has the high potential to turn into fanatic-driven frenzy. Please! And it doesn't take a rocket scientist to link degenerative diseases with festering hatred or ill will. How many of OUR citizens are harboring a growing tumor [unbeknownst] while at the same time spouting their ill-tempered rhetoric? What I'm saying is this: what you give out comes back to you. Our reality is not 'linear,' but our actions today [especially when done in a frenzy] cause undue consequences to be re-visited upon us later. Just think. Be calm. Let's come to a sensible solution here, one that respects the humanity of those who are not so fortunate. If not, then we all lose in the end. If this message is for you, I ask that you ponder it. If not, continue on with your frenzied anger. Your tumor [and fate] awaits you....

The was I see is simple for the state of Utah, good for you. Now I hope other states can have the "GUTS" to do the same. Then I hope that those idiots in Washington listen to.

Since the Federal Government didn not perform their Constitutional duty, I'm thrilled the State Senate has passed this measure.

Our children, all under 9 years old, already had their identities stolen and used by numerous illegal aliens. The info was stolen from a local hospital, then was probably sold for a good price.

The authorities are useless in finding these criminals - claiming their hands are tied.

The protestors there today (the ones freezing in place as some artistic protest) won't admit that the illegals are preying off us citizens - especially our kids. Criminal actions don't work in the capitalist system!

I thought we free the slave during Lincolns presidency?? Big Business use of illegal aliens is the same as the people who used slave during that time. Big Business doesn't want to pay a fair wage to US workforce as shown in how long it has taken the minumum wage to change. I also want to know why state are letting Illegal alien to vote in any elections?? To be a registar voter in any state it says that person has to be a us citizen. I am a retired soldier that has 2 children that was born in germany, there mom is a german. I had to pay to bring he into this country, had to have my brother sign her into this country because I didn't have a job. I follwed the Law why can't everyone else? Thes Illegal alien know they are breaking the law when they enter this country and again when they buy Illegal ID. where do these illegal get money to pay for someone to smuggle them into this country and to buy these fake ID that turn out to be SSN of US citzen kids and US citzen adults. This needs to stop!!!!!