Reader comments
Poll: Most Utahns back tough immigration bill

Are the 25% that are not in favor of the Bill, either not legal themselves, using illegal labor, married or living with illegal�s, or is there some strange and magic reason that they would want illegal�s here. Why can't the Bill be even tougher. Illegal�s are Breaking The Law, if you Harbor, Employ, House, Aid, Cohabit, or even know about the presence of an illegal and you do not report it. Then you are also Breaking the law. I thing it should be a Felony to be an Illegal and in most cases if you are convicted of a Felony you can't enter the United State through the front door. I not only do not want them here, and because they broke the law in coming, I don't want them back. Any Illegal, of any Race, Creed, Color, or National Origin. This is an issue that is so past Mexican/Asian. The future of this Nation depends in large part on getting Illegal�s out of America. Also giving Birth should not be a reason to be allowed to stay. Even if the Father is a Citizen. However if I had any compassion it would be in those cases.

Immigrant's rights? What rights would those be? Isn't that like thief's rights or burglar's rights? They take publicly-funded resources they have no right to and shout to those who've applied legally (to come to the US) that they're more important. Give me a break!

Mano dura contra los ilegales. Tough enforcement up front, mercy afterwards if needed.

Build the fence! Give orders to shoot to kill. Enough Said.

These illegal immigrants are here illegaly and are not entitled to any rights or benefits and should not be able to get jobs.

My hypothesis is that this was intentionally delayed in a attempt to satisfy the Voters until after the November Elections, while many participants intend to pull their support once Elected. It is obvious that our current Governor will Veto anything anti-Immigration with teeth in it, as he has threatened to do so several times. Therefore, we need to support ALL Candidates who adamantly support the enactment of this Bill. Be aware that there will be hidden support for Candidates opposing the Bill, and against Candidates supporting it coming from the other side! Do your research and once satisfied that your Candidate truly favors taking back control of our own country Stand by your Man! Ignore the innuendos and rhetoric that are thrown at them! It is highly possible that we have just seen the first two victims of the Pro-Illegal Lobby go down in defeat. Be very careful of the Challengers! They are untried and often untrue. Don't buy a "Pig in a Poke". Verify! Verify! Verify! Oh, and one pore caution: Don't let some radio host from another District or Another State make up YOUR mind for you!

And when the next depression comes (probably soon) what will happen with this large group of people? Think they will stay peaceful and hungry? Do you think we are going to have mob riots?

The fence is a big waste of cash. If the opportunity is here and it is expensive or difficult to immigrate legally they will find a way to come.... Wall or no Wall.
We should fix the laws so that we can send them back easily and quickly but we also need immigration reform to help these folks who want to participate in the American Dream do so easily and affordably.
They should learn english and go through the proper channels. Currently it is very difficult and quite expensive for a Mexican citizen to immigrate to our country. We should make it easier for them. If our industries are going to survive we need the labor force.... unless we want to always be beholden to China.

Utah can't solve the US' illegal problem, but we can solve our corner of it. I'm still surprised Yapias is saying anything, because SB81 is a fairly worthless law. It doesn't go after any private employers at all, so the biggest use of illegal labor gets away free. Yapias needs to keep reminding us that we need to attack the whole problem.

These people are not immigrants they have stolen into the country and are Illegal Aliens, they have not applied to be here therefore they have not immigrated - time to sort that out -- those that support it are using cheap labor or getting more members in their flock to fleece them that 10%

Do you people really believe that "illegal immigrants" are the source of all this countries problems.
Its like complaining about the man asking you for a dollar while the banker cleans out your account.
We give away billions of dollars to millionaires.
We are turning our food into inefficent fuel.
Those who are meant to represent us, and fix things, are too busy taking bribes, and pointing at each other like children, to do anything.
Historically whenever things get tough, the first thing people tend to do is blaim immigrants for all of their problems.

"Shoot to kill?" You've got to be kidding me!! The vast majority of these people are trying to take care of their families and you want to kill them for it? Shame on you.

What are all of you afraid of? This country has been continually built and rebuilt by immigrants, illegal and legal. It's the fact that they are able to come and assimilate that makes the country dynamic and ever moving forward.

If we let fear motivate our legislation we will stagnate. Again what are you afraid of?

Here is the history on illegals. President Ike sent them home (5 million) and was the last president to do anything constructive. They kept coming and were further encouraged when Pres Reagan gave amnesty to 5-6 million. And they still kept coming. Per the News there were about 5-6 million more in the mid 90's. That figure has grown to at least 20 million now. They can track cows carrying the brain disease but have no accurate accounting of illegals. The republicons have been in a political position to solve this problem since the time of Pres Reagan but nothng was done. It is now insolvable.

Those of you who may be elected officials, at any level of government, had better listen up or plan on an extended absence from office. The people are fed up with this and want action and results not just lip service during an election year!!! Stop illegal immigration, deport those who have already broken the law, (including there born in the U.S. children) and fix this!!! Constitutional rights are designed for Citizens of this country. Not illegal law breakers that ignor our laws to begin with!

I am 50% Hispanic, but my relatives came here legally. Our expanding illegal population is bringing more problems, including increased needs for education monies when we could be okay in that area, overutilization of ER hospital facilities, etc.

I believe we need to increase quotas for people to come here legally from all over the world if we actually need more workers. With the illegals we get whoever comes through, terrorists & drug smuuglers and all.

And the fence, why the double-speak from Bush & company? that fence should have been there a long time ago. Jason Chaffetz election is at least partly because of our frustration that our elected officials have no built the fence but instead want Comprehensive reform which includes amnesty.

The Republicans have spoken, and they have chosen a more conservative man to represent their wishes, not someone who has been so tied to the Bush double-speak & other career politicians.

And why does Bush so desperately not want a border fence? May he have yet another hidden agenda that we might reject if he told us now?

Politics is very confusing now. Maybe we are not being told the whole truth by our leaders.

I can't believe Tony Yappyass wants to soften SB81 any more than it already was. After the calls for "compassion" last year by the business community and church leaders, most of the meaningful provisions were taken out.

For example, the original bill made it a crime for an employer to transport illegal aliens to a job site. That was changed to it's only a crime for a smuggler to transport illegal aliens through the state on their way to another location.

Anyone who continues to propose amnesty and other benefits for illegal aliens is in danger of becoming the next Chris Cannon. His sound defeat is a clear message on immigration.

Re: Ronald: I'm not in favor of the new legislation or tougher measures until comprehensive reform is accomplished. And no, I'm not illegal or Hispanic in any way (nor married to one). I'm also a Republican who has never voted otherwise.

You need to have some compassion and turn immigration into a more sensible process, allowing people to come legally, more freely. Destroying the lives of 13 million desperate (mostly honest and hardworking) people isn't the right approach.

And yes, I sadly realize I'm in the minority in this state.

How would you feel about denying people who drive a few miles over the speed limit, the ability to work? To me, crossing our borders illegally is more like speeding than more serious crimes.

Our federal immigration policy is broken and should be fixed -- in the mean time, Utah should welcome all who are otherwise people of good will.

Utah should not put barriers in place to prevent people from gaining an education and contributing to society. Allowing the government to determine who can work and who can't is a serious threat to liberty.

Perhaps they should go home and enjoy the Mexican dream. If they are not capable of fixing their own problems we do not want them here.

These 20 million plus illlegals sure are helping the economy right? I mean free education, health care, food, housing, attorney fees, court/jail system, pay no taxes etc... Even a simple man like me knows America can't keep this up. The illegals may not be the only source of the economy woes but they sure are a big portion. So good riddance and to you politicians that support illegals, good riddance to you as well!