Reader comments
Hispanics are pushing for a veto

My family is in the construction business. With the dramatic downturn in the economy we have a months work scheduled. After that I don't know what will happen. I know as a contractor I can't compete with other companies that hire illegal people and undercut my prices.

It's not fair to the people who are fifth generation residents to have to leave the state to find work. But with the national downturn in construction in every state, where do we go?

I saw the meeting on television. There were about 70 people there. Maybe the honest workers of Utah need to organize or something?

I am a disabled veteran and I darn sure didn't serve my country to see it overun by illegal immigrants! We are supposed to be a "sovereign" nation and yet I see our politicians letting this illegal invasion happen. Even the Presidential candidates like Hillary Clinton , Obama and McCain seem to ignore the will of Americans on this issue. I am really sick of this happening. American citizens pay taxes to help our citizens not someone elses. Plus these illegals think they can just come here and protest on our soil and burn our flag , fly it upside down under their flag....our politicians better go to work and fix this problem before Americans have to!

Kick them out of the country

Many good hard working people. However there needs to be respect fpr the law,Salt Lake City enforces parking violations aggressively how ever it is a wink and nod to people who have came into the country illegally. A much more serious crime. No respect for law and order just a justification for breaking it.

Clearly illegal immigration is out of control. Why not work for a better system for relatives to come over legally? Enforcible laws that can be made to stop/slow an illegal activity, including illegal immigration, is a good thing for public safety.

Nothing is going to be done at the Federal level about illegal immigration. Therefore, states MUST step forward and do everything they can to protect their citizens. We have every right to pass immigration bills like SB81 that protect jobs and give companies who hire Americans a competitive chance. People like S. Morris should not be forced into hiring illegal workers just to survive, and the citizens of UT should not be expected to subsidize them. I hope our wishy-washy Governor Huntsman gets a back bone and does not veto this important immigration bill. I can't believe there's even a debate about it, except of course among the illegal Hispanic population. These people have no right to be here, and I'm perfectly willing to pay a little more for products and services provided by AMERICAN CITIZENS. This bill needs to be passed.

What is the county assessor doing at a meeting urging Hispanics to go against this bill? Is that a part of his job to which he was elected? I'll have to remember his name and vote him out of office the next chance I get.

I think that SB81 doesn't go far enough to deny illegals jobs. Where are the provisions for sanctions against private entities that employ illegals? The only part that I see that mentions employers is for public entities that hire them or contract with companies that hire them. I think that all types of companies should be fined for hiring illegal aliens, and that if the employers do it knowingly, then they should be imprisoned.

This bill needs to be passed, pure and simple.

Want to be a good citizen? Then mail your recommendation for Governor Huntsman to uphold SB81. Here's his contact information.

Utah State Capitol Complex
350 North State Street, Suite 200
PO Box 142220
Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-2220
801-538-1000
800-705-2464
Fax 801-538-1528
Lt. Governor's Fax 801-538-1133

Tell him how you feel about immigration and about how you feel about the great benefits many illegal immigrants enjoy AT YOUR EXPENSE. Use the tools at your fingertips to make a difference the legal way.

I think the bill needs to pass. I know we need to help those that are less fortunate, but charity should start at home. Look at the people living on the street and go hungry,have no insurance and cant afford their medication. Look at our elderly, alot have to make the decission if they want to eat or buy their medication. Look it our children witch are our future they have to go with out because there is no money left, it was all spent on other coutries and elegales. There is our schools they pass children that can't read or write because of the " no child left behind ." Is this our new america.? We are allready so overtaxed, but the money does not go back to where it is supposed to. The Government has to look good. we as people don't count. sooner or later the good lord is going to ask you what you did with our nation and I would not like to be in your shoes.

AZ voters approved a measure that would fine companies who knowingly hire illegals, from any country. Why? Because they are here illegally. Gov. Hunstman should not veto the measure.

The picture accompanying the story said 1,000 words.

The only hispanics that fear any legislation are the illegal hispanics. The governor better not veto this bill and the hispancs should fear the american people. Our government represents the american people, not the Mexican dissedents and trouble makers. We don't want the illegal aliens hanging around when they lose their jobs either. The illegals must be dropped from any and all aid they are swindling the people of Utah out of. The illegals cannot be considered citizens or residents of Utah either. These illegals have been plundering and stealing from the american people long enough and we are tired of supporting their criminal lifestyles. Utahns and our government could cut costs and profit greatly if the illegals were not given sancutuary and support from the tax payers. Sympathy lies with the american people and the american peoples rights, not the criminals from Mexico and South America. Illegals have no voice or rights in our government. The illegals problems began as soon as they entered this country illegally and began their criminal lifestyles. They have no say in our government and if they don't like it then get out. Employers must obey laws and hire americans only and legal immigrants.

Maybe we can get the bank robbers together to protest laws against this activity too? The ILLEGALs don't seem to understand the meaning of the word ILLEGAL.

Those of us in favor of SB81 need to let our voices be heard. Governor Huntsman needs to know that if he vetoes this bill, he'll be out on his ear next election.

I have waited 5 years for my immigrant wife's papers to be completed to become a legal Citizen. I do not enjoy that I have to wait another 10-15 years to bring her brothers or sisters legally to USA. But that is the waiting time to do things legally. As such, I will follow the law.

To those of you who are here illegally, you chose to avoid this process. You chose to place your personal desires ahead of others including your own countrymen. It matters to me , that you are all complicite it breaking laws and stealing benefits while claiming you need our compassion. In 1986 amnesty was given to 1,800,000 others like yourselfs. Then there was to be no more crossing the border. You call for amnesty now so , give you a path to citizenship. There is a path, there are others far more deserving than you, they have applied and are waitng in the legal way from the same country you came from.Why should you or your family be reward for stealing benefits that were not yours to have? Return home and apply . Take your family and illegal friends with you. enter legally.

What are they complaining about? The United States already has the most generous family unification immigration policy in the world. That isn't enough for them.
Why do the self-selected needy take priority over the billions of people in the world who are even more destitute?
In my opinion they aren't victims, they are scoundrels.

Their governor and legislation? Aren't they here illegally. The only solution is to leave , let the economy mend then the US can do more compassionable humanitarian services. Cut off the sources of economic, educational, medical, employment, tuition, hey we the nation got along fine without them in the sectors they tend to dominate. It is the next generation of american workers , my children and the legal children who are becomming subjects to these people. It bugs the heck out of me when my son is not given a good paying job and has to pay out of state tuition while these guys are acting as if they are select and entitled as some kind of crusadors. Where's the American Pie to that? Utah take care of your own first, then take numbers on these guys and make them do it legally! I have compassion too but I give the UNITED WAY not to some foreign people trying to dictate me or my consious! I GOTTA GET MINE BEFORE THEY GET THEIRS, ALL LEGALLY OF COURSE. Turn the page and if my family were in their country recieving this so called compassion by their governement ..it wouldn't exist!

Dear Legislature and Gov. Huntsman.

Please represent the will of the huge majority of Utah legal citizens and pass and sign SB81. Illegal immigrants are crushing our public health care and public education system. Gov Huntsman, these are the two areas you want to really improve. Instead of rejecting tax cuts, turn off the magnet of illegal immigration, and both health care and education will drastically improve.

Both of our US senators said the federal government is not going to act any time soon on immigration. State laws worked for Oklahoma. They will work for Utah.

Why are hispanics worried about the bill? That is, if they are in the US and Utah legally. True, some 70% or 80% of all illegals are probably hispanics, whether it be Mexicans or further South. But, the hispanic community should instead be upset that people are breaking the law and causing them problems. Why haven't we heard from any legal hispanics that want the law followed?