Deseret News | Hubbub over tent-city idea irritates Chaffetz

Reader comments
Hubbub over tent-city idea irritates Chaffetz

109 comments | Read story

Chaffetz is on the side of Truth | 9:45 a.m. Sept. 19, 2008

Sounds like the feathers of the large and small Utah businesses which essentially want slavery back in America are becoming a little ruffled by Chaffetz's commitment to uphold the Constitution and the Rule of Law.

L8TR H8TRZ | 9:45 a.m. Sept. 19, 2008

Hey Cat... I don't hate Mormons, I dislike hypocrites. How is it considered intelligent to put people in inhumane situations? Thatï¿½s what I donï¿½t understand. Before immigration reform, around the 1800's to 1900's, when immigrants came into our country they were bigoted against until there was a new minority brought in so there was someone else to hate. All the while companies fed into this hate so that they could underpay and continue poor working conditions because the ï¿½little guyï¿½ never got over his bigotry to actually make a change.

Iï¿½d watch how far down youï¿½ll let your morals go in your treatment of your fellow human being; just ask Germans who were born before 1920 how bad it can get.

Finding a Balance? | 9:46 a.m. Sept. 19, 2008

You CANNOT look at someone with a straight face and say that Jason's proposal is at all balanced. He's pandering and changing his position daily. Jason, what is it? What is your proposal?

You say that you were simply defending the Western Governors and now those men are saying that this isn't what they want to do. Now you say you're looking to cut costs.

Would the real Jason please stand up?

This isn't balanced - this is saying what he needs to say in order to get elected.

Comments continue below

Anonymous | 9:53 a.m. Sept. 19, 2008

--- The soldiers who live in "tent cities" voluntarily signed up for that job, are paid a salary, and have health care for the rest of their lives. ---

However short those lives may be?

Illegal aliens "volunteered" to come here illegally. They can avoid the tent cities by going home.

--- "If you're willing to give those same benefits to the immigrants you put in tent cities, then I might think it's a good idea." ---

Wow. The stupidity, dishonesty, and deception of the open borders kooks truly amazes me. Let's just let everybody in the world come here, shall we?

Anonymous | 9:55 a.m. Sept. 19, 2008

Wow, cats, you are so very intelligent. Could you maybe set up a list of books you have been reading lately? Put your favorites at the top, I am sure that would be anything by a fascist dictator, right? I often wonder how many right wing Utahans would fall in love with a fascist candidate. Many of you are in love with big business, blame non whites for your problems, and live in a fantasy land of moral superiority. And before any of you ask me to read "Liberal Fascism", let me assure you that I already have.

However, are all the of the liberals fault. How dare they show any kind of humanity. How dare they take a reasoned and logical approach to immigration reform. How dare they tell you the truth about the likelihood that the government will be able to round up even a small number of illegals. How dare they ask that the federal government responsibly manage the economy during the prosperous times, and not just in times of crisis. How dare they assert that the neo-liberalism and neo-conservatism, practiced by modern "conservatives" ,is a recipe for disaster. What caring, compasionate, and intelligent jerks.

Anonymous | 9:57 a.m. Sept. 19, 2008

*** "Here's my question - when we "return" the Mexican portion of the illegals to their home after they cross the border illegally, why just drop them off on the other side of the border? Personally, I think they all could use a nice, soothing flight to Cancun" ***

I know where you're going, but there's a simpler option: get busted once for illegal immigration, get sent home. Get busted twice, get 2 years in the pen, then get sent home. Get busted a third time? You get the idea...

So long as it's catch and release we'll never solve the problem. But it doesn't have to be catch and release.

Crowded Prisons | 10:01 a.m. Sept. 19, 2008

I believe a reasonable place to begin with fixing the illegal immigration problem is aggressively going after the thugs and criminals that pose a threat to illegal immigrants and legal residents alike. Whether we put them in a prison of cement walls or canvas tents, let's get them out of our society at the cheapest cost. What kind of logic makes sleeping on a concrete slab a "prison" and sleeping on a cot a "prison camp"? My illegal immigrant friends would GLADLY turn in the bad guys if they knew they wouldn't be shipped to Mexico and back in the US to terrorize them again in a month.

No one is suggesting we put "families" in "prison camps." Just more "we care more" garbage from the liberals who are destroying our American culture.

I say we follow the example of our Arizona neighbor and put all criminals in tents surrounded by barbed wire, not just illegal immigrant criminals. Three squares and a sleeping bag is not cruel or unusual. I make my Boy Scouts do it for a week every summer and it builds character.

Stay strong Mr. Chaffetz, you knew this was coming...

Guy | 10:02 a.m. Sept. 19, 2008

Why contact Jason. his narrow mind is made up and it will take much more pressure form outside sources for him to recognize his attitude is not the same as the majority. He is listening to a small very vocal, and missinformed minority, those who are also very narrow minded.

Good | 10:04 a.m. Sept. 19, 2008

Someone has to do something and I'm glad someone is strong enough to battle this corrupted view of political correctness to do what he believes is right. It's about time.

Anonymous | 10:04 a.m. Sept. 19, 2008

One place where Chaffetz is wrong is on his support for increasing legal immigration.

So long as we have a reasonable limit on the number of people who can come here, and so long as America is a desireable place to come, there will be a line. People will have to wait. We already let over 1 MILLION people come here legally every single year, which is way too many in my opinion.

There are easily 100 million or more people who would like to come here, but most don't bother to apply because they know they probably won't get in so they don't bother wasting their time and money.

If we raised the limit to 5 million, 10 million, 20 million a year, more would apply but there would still be "a line." I'm sorry that people who apply have to wait in line, but that's how it is.

TJ | 10:06 a.m. Sept. 19, 2008

A lot of people are talking about immigrants and how Jason is so crule to them but if you read the article it talks about ILLEGAL immigrants. I think tent cities are a great idea for the ones that are convicted of crimes(other than just illegally being in the country). I believe the article said that they would be temporary holding areas too. I don't fully agree with the whole idea but I think that he is on the right track and after some changing and rewriting the plan would be great. I think it is a step in the right direction to helping America become an even greater nation. We live is such a wonderful place with so much opportunity and I believe that something like this could help make it an even more desireable and better place to live. A good step forward but definately not an end but a step towards it.

C.W. | 10:10 a.m. Sept. 19, 2008

Hooray for Chaffetz. Finally we are electing someone who has what it takes to do something about the illegals. Housing them in tent cities as we round them up is a great idea! If tents are good enough for our troops to be housed in temporarily, then they should be good enough for illegals. Maybe if they don't want to be housed in a tent, they should just go back home. This is an issue that THE VOTERS want solved but all we ever get is lip service. As far as the racist allegations, I think we all agree that as we catch those DARN SWEDES that they be housed there also until deportation!

Where's Cannon | 10:12 a.m. Sept. 19, 2008

We need Chris Cannon to do a Joe Lieberman and run as an independent. We need reform in immigration but we don't need this knee jerk solution.

Wow! | 10:13 a.m. Sept. 19, 2008

The contrast of comments is quite amazing. When you can't make a logical response, call them names. David o I challenge you to go to Jason Chaffetz's website and find the words "Mexican" or "Latino" as you claim he is targeting these two groups. You will find the word Mexican in quotes from other sources, used in the context of protecting our borders.

Please explain how you see racism in the fact that the U.S. has two borders - one Canadian and one Mexican. Given the proportions of illegal Mexican immigrants to illegal Canadian immigrants, which border do you think needs more work/help? Chaffetz has never said we need to remove Group X, where X is a nationality, from America. He has said that there is no pathway to citizenship through being here illegally, which includes ALL illegal immigrants.

DR Don | 10:23 a.m. Sept. 19, 2008

+1 Chaffetz!

Duncan Idaho | 10:53 a.m. Sept. 19, 2008

Sounds like the Japanese internment camps all over again. Learn from the past, people.

Ms. Olson | 11:09 a.m. Sept. 19, 2008

I had no idea Jason Chaffetz had such an inhumane immigration policy. I am shocked and saddened that such a seemingly fine young man would advocate such a horrible policy. He has lost my support.

arc | 11:17 a.m. Sept. 19, 2008

So what it Jason wants to imprison women and children? At least he has a plan to deal with them.

This is D-U-M-B | 11:18 a.m. Sept. 19, 2008

All you Jason supporters out there are so numb between your ears or you're hearing things that he isn't saying.

Jason says that he's going to go 'fix' legal immigration and that he has a detailed plan. I haven't heard a thing about this details though - nothing. How is he goig to fix things? All I hear him spewing and all I read is the same old bumper sticker politics.

hippo | 11:19 a.m. Sept. 19, 2008

We can't have legal immigration until we get rid of the illegal problem. 12-15 illegal aliens have taken the place of legal immigrants in our society. They are the reason for the long wait.

The temporary "prison" is for illegals who have committed a crime. Something most seem not aware of.

Google Mexico immigration and you'll find many are imprisoned for up to 10 years in dire circumstances for breaking their laws. Since no one complains about them, maybe it's time we patterned our law after theirs.

Would the tents be made in China | 11:23 a.m. Sept. 19, 2008

There should be a tent city for those that violate immigration laws.

We should put the Republican campaign contributors that hire undocumented workers into these tents.

Anonymous | 11:22 a.m. Sept. 19, 2008

I am offended that Mr. Chaffetz thinks that it's okay to do something like this. I heard him on the Doug Wright Show and was sad that he would be so hurtful.

It would be hard for him to convince me that a child that was brought here when he was a child has to be deported. The child didn't do anything wrong. In my world and in the church I attend I'm not held accountable for the sins of my parents. Not so with Chaffetz. He says kick those babies out.

It's sad - Chaffetz is sad.

IT Guy | 11:28 a.m. Sept. 19, 2008

Please tell me that others can see how inconsistent this guy is. At least with Cannon we knew that he didn't want to do mass deportations. He stuck to his convictions. This guy is a joke. He talks about the Western Governors Association and now the WGA smacks him and uncovers a lie.

Listen folks - Chaffetz is a politician of convenience. He'll say anything to get elected.

David O | 11:55 a.m. Sept. 19, 2008

The think about racists people is they always deny they are racists but spew comments to the contrary. If the influx of illegal immigrants were mostly white Europeans, no one would be saying anything, most of all Chaffetz.

CougarKeith | 12:00 p.m. Sept. 19, 2008

I hate to tell you people this, but we did this to our own citizens in WWII, with Japanese & German heritage. Now Jason wants to do it to Ill-eagles to gather them up, and YOU CRY ABOUT IT? He has a solution, a real solution! What is all the hubbub about? You overwhelmingly elected him over a sitting elected official in the primary, so what is the problem? Jason HAS A SOLUTION! Don't you think ill-eagle aliens are thinking the same thing? "Tent Camp, no way, not me!!!" It's called facing the consequences of your actions! They sit in jail now till they are deported and waste valuable jail space, didn't know that did you? This is a plan that will work! His plan also gives worker I.D. cards to those here for work, did you know that? If you don't know the whole of the plan quit listening to the Liberal Media and extremist groups and find out the facts for yourself! The Tent City idea is designed to KEEP FAMILIES TOGETHER, not divide them, which is what happens now. It is more HUMANE than what is done now! Learn the Facts Voters!

UT County Republican | 12:12 p.m. Sept. 19, 2008

Jason Chaffetz cannot represent us. I will do what I have never done before and vote for a Democrat. Bennion Spencer will get my vote.

David o | 12:13 p.m. Sept. 19, 2008

"I hate to tell you people this, but we did this to our own citizens in WWII, with Japanese & German heritage. "

OHHHHH, se we did it before and that makes it right? Wow, talk about White is right attitude. Tell me, how many Germans were in camps compared to Japanese US citizens? Why did it happen, the fear of non white people. It is hard for people of White European decent to understand what they do is off target and racist.

David O | 12:21 p.m. Sept. 19, 2008

How many of you that are for rounding up US citizens would also support rounding up people of certain religions. What if they were people of your religion because a few committed some crimes. What if they wanted to roundup all Catholics, Mormons, Anglicans? How right does it feel then? Of all states that should understand persecution, Utah should be the most compassionate.

hmm... | 12:24 p.m. Sept. 19, 2008

With a name like Chaffetz and his dark hair and skin, maybe we should check where he's from. Chaffetz is easily changed to Chavez. What are you hiding Jason?

ross58 | 12:49 p.m. Sept. 19, 2008

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Your comments are definitely not going to change my mind, nor are my comments going to change yours. I am curious however, why is it that the Chaffetz supporters site fact and sources and references and logic in their comments, while his opposition uses name calling, innuendo, statements out of context, and slighted personal opinion to make theirs? There is no reason to get fired up debating most of these comments.

IM | 12:52 p.m. Sept. 19, 2008

Dearest CougarKeith - Are you crazy? Keeping famililes together? I thought Chaffetz said it was just for those who have committed serious crimes - are we putting children in with serious criminals?

This is so silly. Chaffetz has talked himself in and out of so many coreners with this one.

John Weaver | 1:06 p.m. Sept. 19, 2008

Let's remember people, that being an undocumented immigrant is a Civil Violation, not a Criminal Violation as Jason insists. He's been listening to too much hate-fueled talk radio.

Sandy Dad | 1:49 p.m. Sept. 19, 2008

I actually kinda like Chaffetz, but I think he kinda blew it on this. If I were him, I'd just apologize and move on. We all say things a little weird now and then, just fess up and move on. I'd have a lot more respect that way, than if he tried to weasel his way out.

If I were Mexican, living in Mexico and knew a way of life in the US that was much better, I'd want it for myself and my family and if I couldn't find a way to get here, I'd consider trying to do it without the law on my side.

We're blessed we don't have to worry about that...all we have to worry about is whether or not to build a bigger home or nicer car.

I understand that Chaffetz was only trying to solve a problem with a cost-effective solution, but it's still a faux pas. You're gonna have to be more careful than that when you're in the public eye. I will still probably vote for Chaffetz...just be more careful.

Note to the 3rd district | 1:52 p.m. Sept. 19, 2008

Chaffetz hasn't won yet. Before we coronate him, let's take a hard look at the competition. Bennion Spencer is a very good candidate and deserves consideration. He has already earned my vote, Jason is just reaffirming my decision.

We voted Cannon out of office because we wanted change. Let's go all the way and support Bennion.

Please... | 2:34 p.m. Sept. 19, 2008

I agree there has to be compassion so why not let all crooks who are just trying to improve there lives by robbing a bank or stealing a car run free. They just want a better life. Better yet, maybe love and compassion will fix the economy too. We need real solutions to the problems and this sounds like a good start to me.

Re: To maryt | 8:28 a.m. | 2:38 p.m. Sept. 19, 2008

>The soldiers who live in "tent cities" voluntarily
>signed up for that job, are paid a salary, and have
>health care for the rest of their lives.
>
>If you're willing to give those same benefits to the
>immigrants you put in tent cities, then I might
>think it's a good idea.

If they will carry a gun and fight against those who we deem as enemies, then by all means they should have the same benefits.

This is an outlandish statement, that is completely outside of the discussion!

Illegal | 2:41 p.m. Sept. 19, 2008

Sounds like these immigrant groups need to get a life. They have way too much time on their hands.

arc | 3:07 p.m. Sept. 19, 2008

No one wants those that have been waiting to come legally to be passed up in line. No one wants those that have come here illegally to become citizens before those following the rules. That is all we are talking about.

Unfortunately, Bennion doesn't get it, and others that don't want this solved, are trying to smear Jason.

Jason doesn't have a knee-jerk solution. He wants:

Fix legal immigration
Reject amnesty
Lock down the border, enforce visas
Have the political will to enforce the current laws
Get rid of rewards & incentives to be here illegally
Give business the tools & align financial incentives
Insist on assimilation (English)

arc | 3:10 p.m. Sept. 19, 2008

Jason has called for a federal detention facility in the west to house federal prisoners. Only those convicted of a crime would be housed in this facility.

He concurs with the Western Governorï¿½s Association, which passed a resolution calling for the federal government to build a facility to house its own prisoners. Federal prisoners who are not violent criminals are often released because there is no prison space to hold them.

The detention facility would house those who are convicted of federal crimes ï¿½ whether or not these people are illegal aliens. Jason has also suggested that tent facilities similar to those in Arizona are good enough for our soldiers in Iraq and should be good enough for our federal prisoners here at home.

David O | 4:36 p.m. Sept. 19, 2008

People have problems with brown colored immigrants but they have no problem with the people ruining our economy in the billions with the banking meltdown. Get a reality check and see who is costing the US taxpayer more with the continued multi billion dollar bailouts. I will say it again, if the influx of immigrants were of European ancestry, no one would bat an eye. It is just easier to scapegoat people of color. Some day the Latino population will be greater than caucasian in this country and I will enjoy watching them get their own medicine.

To arc | 4:44 p.m. Sept. 19, 2008

This is NOT a detailed plan. Listing Chaffetz's bumper sticker-type rhetoric isn't going to fix the problem.

And look - for the last time...Chaffetz LIED about the Western Governors Association. He skewed its resolution to protect himself.

Dave | 5:07 p.m. Sept. 19, 2008

Any clue on where Deseret Snooze stands regarding Chaffetz?

The Snooze is for open borders and very much for illegal immigration. And they don't have much compassion for those for legal immigration (like Chaffetz). Why? Unfortunately, they don't have the gallantry to state the TRUE reasons.

Further, Joe Cannon (the Snooze's lead editor) is Chris "Open Borders" Cannon's brother.

Regarding Chaffetz, they hate his guts. Go figure.

Oh well..... | 5:30 p.m. Sept. 19, 2008

Welcome to the Politcal Arena, Jason. Get used to it and don't take things personal. "You are playing with the big boys now."

Anonymous | 5:57 p.m. Sept. 19, 2008

Several Latino organizations have taken up the fight to make sure no illegal Aliens are sent home. They give birth to a counter group called the minutemen who the Mexican president decries as an abusive organization. The US government counters with information about how illegals are treated in Mexico who come over their southern border and are treated horrible and even killed by gangs.

It's going to boil over.

The detention center is for illegals who have broken other laws and are being sent back home. Big deal

LaRaza (who reported this to Honda hoping to stir up trouble) and other Latino Organizations are stopping at nothing to derail illegals being sent home. The economy is getting worse and it's building resentment. I wish the Latino organizations would stop the propaganda. They are fanning the fire and making things worse.

Chaffetz's plan | 6:07 p.m. Sept. 19, 2008

If Chaffetz has such a great plan, then why isn't he convincing the Democrats to get on board with it? He's never going to have enough GOP votes in the House to get anything done (the minority never has enough votes).

Chaffetz's plan might just be the thing this country needs, but we'll never know because he's already ticked off the House Dems he needs to get the bill out of committee.

Jason needs to realize that a freshman congressman-elect should be building bridges instead burning them.

DaviD O | 6:16 p.m. Sept. 19, 2008

Like I care who runs this paper. The issue still stands and some people are showing their racist tendencies around here. Brown skinned Latinos are a great scapegoat in times of economic uncertainty, but you love them when they work for cheap and don't speak up. Nobody here would bat an eye at a white skinned illegal immigrant Canadian but you will look down at every person of color automatically.

Tents -> GREAT IDEA | 6:22 p.m. Sept. 19, 2008

The latin community complains but do they not remember they marched on major cities in the United States waving Mexican flags?

Send all illegals back to their country of origin. If that means spending some time in the desert in a tent city while you are fingerprinted, photographed and processed, then so be it.

We have a system of legal immigration, stop breaking the law!

To L8R H8RZ and all the... | 6:21 p.m. Sept. 19, 2008

dough heads who can't keep their religious bla bla to themselves need to get a life.

Religion is pretty personal and you need to keep it personal. It is not a hammer to bash one another over the head with so knock it off.

Observer | 8:08 p.m. Sept. 19, 2008

After listening to Jim Noorlander of the Constitution Party speak to a crowd of 200 in Provo, Wednesday evening, neither Chaffetz nor Spencer is getting my vote. Nooorlander will. He is the only one that is addressing the issues that need to be addressed. The other canddidates would do well to listen to him and then follow his lead. Their constant bickering is childish at best.

arc | 12:35 a.m. Sept. 20, 2008

I realize Jason's several pages of ways to fix legal immigration isn't as detailed as a bill will need to be, however, his opponent is just going to:

"Bring undocumented immigrants out of the shadows and put those who are in good standing on a pathway to citizenship so that they can contribute to society by paying their fair share of taxes."

Like that is fair to those trying to do things legally? We already tried that 20 years ago, it didn't work.

At least Jason has real ideas. His opponent has a book, reported, as to why the savior is a democrat.
His opponent TV ads are pretty photos, music with a high class narrative. We need someone with more than that.

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.