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Most Utahns approve of immigration law; panel to give SB81 a closer look

"People want to be together as families," Packard said. "We do not support criminal behavior. The problem is we have people living here contributing to our economy and contributing to our community as well."

Sounds like double-speak. Families are broken up when someone is caught breaking the law. And you qualify your "supporting the law" by saying it's OK because they contribute to our economy and community?

Packard can't have it both ways. Criminals living here and separated from their families back in their home countries are being supported by her organization.

I get SO tired of the song and dance of these people! WE are not breaking up families! These criminals, intentionally choose to disregard their family when deciding to break our immigration laws. THEY are the ones risking their family status.

IF breaking up families made ANY sense whatsoever, this same sick argument would pertain to sending a citizen bank robber to jail - and breaking up their family!

Sheesh!

Senora Packard says that illegals contribute to the economy and live in the community. She's correct on the latter. They not only LIVE in the community, they destroy the community. The leave trash, mostly Bud Lite cans dropped on the ground, drive around (which they are doing w/o licenses) blasting ranchero music, form gangs,and put a drain on the economy in many ways. The reap many more benefits that they contribute. After all these years they don't seem to know or care if they are here illegally. I think we'd better post big signs on the border saying "just a reminder, amigos. When you enter without documentation, don't be surprised or feign surprise when the authorities crack down on you. Maybe someone can speak very slowly to them and spell out the meaning of i-l-l-e-g-a-l! And those who support this criminal activities, how about leaving with them. This country doesn't need traitors.

What is it that needs to be studied for 16 months?!! Someone can't figure out that if you entered the country without going through the proper procedures (illegally), it is a deportable crime. It only took me a nano second to figure that out!!

As Glenn Spencers American Patrol Website has said, while Bush and McCain are working to instill a sense of identity to people in Iraq, they are trying to destroy the sense of identity of Americans. But some Americans, just for the sake of a little profit will never understand how dangerous this is. Are you satisfied with America being an "Economic Zone" for anyone in the world to exploit? Dr. Ron Paul President 2008, do the right thing, write him in.

This bill doesn't go far enough. Until the employers are prosecuted for hiring the illegals, we will continue to have the problem of these criminals in our country. By the way, if a thief over here is sentenced to prison, does anyone care that he is seperated from his family? Send the family back with the illegals. If the parents are illegal, then any children form them should also be the same.

What is HR4088? Is there even such a number?

I agree that the "family argument" needs to be used much less by Immigration Activists. It really is a poor excuse, and one that merely tries to pull at the heart-strings of everyday Americans.

However, some of you seem to think that the only Illegal Immigrants in this country are Latinos. While they do represent a fair sized portion of the population, there are still quite a few undocumented workers from Eastern Europe, Britain, Russia, and even Canada. The illegal "Canalien" population has been growing exponentially in the last few years.

So, argue for a governmental crackdown on illegal immigration (which I agree with, whole-heartedly), but don't stereotype the debate into "Latinos vs. Gringos."

Why July 2009? Why not now?

I am a single mother of 4 children. All four of my kids have fathers that are illegal Mexicans. I was weak and had low self esteem when all this happened. I dont get one penny for CS and have begged for money just to feed my kids before and have received extremely negative comments. The state currently subsideses $781/month for day care. That is over 9 thousand a year in taxes!! There is no justice here. They come here, don't understand the laws and WILLINGLY submit US CITIZENS (four innocent children) to extreme hardship and poverty. Maybe these FAMILY supporters should think of that. If you WILLINGLY cause a child to live in financial hardship that should be concidered CHILD ABUSE. THEY NEED TO GO!!! They are a strain on our economy. Take that from a FORMER supporter. Their culture is in such a way that they think they can treat women the way they do in Mexico. In Mexico women dont have many rights. It is UNETHICAL AND WRONG AND ALL YOU SUPPORTERS ARE GIVING THEM THE ABILITY TO ABUSE WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN THIS WAY!!! WHERE ARE OUR RIGHTS????

This is wrong!
I am Hispanic and proud of it... I am also Native American. All you people need to realize that you are all illegals... its sad to see how greedy you people can get. This is taken into offense.. How can someone be pulled over than asked for documentation? Racism is what it is. It is going to become Latinos vs. Gringos.. just another reason for Utah's crime rate to go up.

All you people out there who are against illegal immigration are all CRAZY!!!!
It has been easily forgotten that "Utah" among other states were originally "ours" yes "ours"!!!!! Wether you like it or not!!!! The bottom line is that no matter what law is passed we will always remain here fighting for what we know belongs to us!!!

All of you people out there who "dislike" mexicans for simply not having "legal documents" have no clue how difficult it is to live your life in fear of being "caught" and being "deported" you have no idea what it is like to have to wake up every morning thinking if today will be the day. Searching endlessley for a job and being told no over and over again.
People who come out here to the United States from other countries, and i'm not only taking about mexico, these people come out here because they are looking for a better life for there family. Most people I know would live in mexico if the situation was better out there, unfortunately that is not the case, and frankly it is not there fault. I hope they help these people.