Deseret News | Hispanics are pushing for a veto

Reader comments
Hispanics are pushing for a veto

152 comments | Read story

Byron Foster | 10:41 a.m. Feb. 24, 2008

I'm sending my letter to the Governor tomorrow asking that he not veto the bill. The biggest problem we are facing in America is not illegal immigration. The biggest problem we face is ourselves. The problem is that the silent majority is not speaking out and demanding that their elected officials represent their wishes. How many of us watch the news at night or read the newspapers and wonder "how is this happening? Why is nothing being done to stop it? Everyone I know wants a solution to this problem, so why isn't one being proposed and implemented?" Simply because Americans aren't SPEAKING OUT! So I ask all of you, as M. Moore did. Write a letter to Governor Huntsman asking that he not veto this bill. It doesn't have to be long. Even something as simple as "Do not veto SB81" will suffice. Remember, the power lies in the people. Change will not come about unless we demand it. DO YOUR PART TO EFFECT CHANGE!

Joe | 10:53 a.m. Feb. 24, 2008

hey Thad,
this is because we aren't overrun with thousands of them who break the law, don't speak English and demand tax benefits and equal rights while protesting under a Mexican flag!

Pass the bill! My dog does deserve more rights, he doesn't put a drain on society!

Anonymous | 10:50 a.m. Feb. 24, 2008

kick them all out of here there no good any ways and lets build a big wall around the boarder so they cant get more in

Comments continue below

Tired Of Illegals | 10:55 a.m. Feb. 24, 2008

Personally, I'd like to see illegal immigrants march to protest this bill. It would make it much easier for INS agents to gather them up, and send them back to their own countries.

Tracy | 11:03 a.m. Feb. 24, 2008

We are a law abiding country, and a immigrating country. You can immigrate here legally. Strong bill yes, but moderation is the father of procrastination. We need to abide by all laws not just cherry oick the ones of convience.

helputah | 11:13 a.m. Feb. 24, 2008

Thank the Governor if he vetos this bill welcome to Utamexico backed by big business the compassionates of Utah. Don't matter that Americans used to work the jobs for an liveable wage. Huntsman needs the illegals to pay for his soccer stadium many Utahns said no to . Thank the Gov

sluggo | 11:16 a.m. Feb. 24, 2008

To cheap labor......

Manufacturing jobs are not coming back to the US, so you may as well forget about that. We are now a service economy, and that means service jobs. So yes, the problem is cheap labor. Cheap labor is the problem because as long as illegal immigration is allowed, the wages paid to those in the service industries are artificially low. What would all these rich business owners do if they had to pay their labor $15 an hour to flip burgers or to clean their hotel rooms? Raise their prices? Maybe, for a while, but they can only raise them so much until people won't pay. So in the end, these poor little rich business owners have to settle for making less money, and that is the real problem. These poor little rich people are used to cheap labor, and don't want to give it up.

Marcos | 11:25 a.m. Feb. 24, 2008

I was born in Mexico and am now living here. It took years to get it done legally, and that made me super appreciate my citizenship here in this country. I didn't sneak under any fence or swim any river to get here, I applied, waited, waited some more, and waited a little bit longer, but it all worked out in the end. I fully blame those who are illegally hire this wave of illegal immagrants. That is where the problem can be solved. Crack down on those who know better and hire these people who are told that if they come up here everything will be good and they will find good jobs. Employers who obey this law can solve our problems. Until then, they will just keep coming and coming. If the people who want to emmigrate, do it legally, it will be worth the wait, and you will appreciate more the great American dream.

Yapias said it himself | 11:26 a.m. Feb. 24, 2008

"Hispanics will need to be more careful to avoid causing the problems that inspired the measure."

"All Hispanics need to make sure their vehicles are properly licensed and insured. They also need to be careful to never help friends or family break Utah's laws."

It sounds like Mr. Yapias wants his illegal friends to follow the law so they don't get caught breaking the law.

Attendee comments:
"discourage graffiti & other acts that generate negative stereotypes of Hispanics." "must be more responsible in order to earn the compassion of others"

According to the above statements, it is no wonder that the people of Utah NEED SB81 passed as soon as possible.

I think Yapias needs to tell his illegal friends the first law not to break is: Don't enter the country illegally. Then no inhumane Americans will be supporting laws to protect their own rights, jobs, and American dreams.

Problem solved.

Go talk to the President of Mexico if you need compassion.

Simply Put | 11:29 a.m. Feb. 24, 2008

Govenor Huntsman, do your job, either help get this problem solved, or we get someone who will

Steve | 11:31 a.m. Feb. 24, 2008

Please sign the bill Governor,and protect the legal workers of the state, just as you would protect our businesses from illegal competition. The news is reporting a definite downturn with possible inflationary recession. Times are going to get tough and our legal residents are going to need all those service and construction jobs.

Pleasant Valley Sunshine | 11:37 a.m. Feb. 24, 2008

To the Governor and the legislature.... pass the bill.

To the many who are here legally..... Welcome and please take advantage of the many educational oppurtunities including several available programs who offer English as a second language, Some of these are at little or no cost. Your efforts would be much more significant if you fully assimilated into Utah and American society....no one is asking you to give up your culture, your heritage or your language. However, improving or in the case of those of you who speak very little or no English, will only be helping yourselves by doing so.

To those living here illegally......your time is coming. You're breaking the law by just being here. You're breaking more laws when you do illegal things in order to cover yourselves and hide among all of those here legally. Worse yet, you put others at risk of losing their non-criminal status and subject them to possible deportation by expecting them to come to your aid and concealing who you are and hiding you.

This bill is meant for all of you who are here illegally. It is the right approach. It would be wrong to not pass this bill.

liberal larry | 11:31 a.m. Feb. 24, 2008

Generally the reason that people enter our country illegally is to find work. Corporations are not content to merely break American unions, they love the compliant, desperate workers that illegals represent. The problems of illegal immigration will never be solved by persecuting individual "illegals", or by erecting huge fences on the borders. Our leaders lack the stomach to go after the real culprits, the companies who hire them.

Yap Yap Yap! | 11:45 a.m. Feb. 24, 2008

Yapias needs to stop yapping so much because he yaps too much about nothing!

Kevin | 11:48 a.m. Feb. 24, 2008

If you want crime to go up, make it harder for people to work. If you want children on welfare, make their illeagal parents leave the country. If you want solutions, work together to put together comprehensive immigration reform and stop shouting amnesty every time congress tries to fix a serious problem. The real problem is that these people's leagal status is illeagal. If we allow them to change their leagal status then they will be able pay taxes and they will no longer drive wages down. Instead they will generate tax revenue. They will be able to get a drivers licence and auto insurance. They won't have to be on welfare and crime will go down. Does anyone honestly think we will deport 12 million people? Does anyone honestly think that these people will just go away? They won't. The solution seems so simple to me even though I am not hispanic. Stop the flow into this country, allow those here to gain leagal status be it through paying a fine or back taxes. Then the problems will be resolved.

to sluggo | 11:55 a.m. Feb. 24, 2008

you have given up on a core American value. Good paying industrial jobs allowed Dad to work and Mom to stay home.

Service jobs only really benefit business OWNERS. If we penalize Business owners for hiring cheap labor, you won't be affected that much except you will say goodby to the "dollar menu". Some argue that they don't mind paying a little more for goods that are righteously delivered, but a service economy job doesn't pay enough wages to maintain a robust middle class (those able to afford a "little more" for righteously delivered goods).

You self-righteous, anti-illegal people here are misplacing your anger. You should be angry at corporate loving, union-busting, anti-labor conservative governemnt (so prominentespecially here in Utah) that has allowed the middle class to erode to this point.

How many of you posters require two incomes to keep your middle class lifestyle? This aint your mommas economy, and it was brought to you by Republicans USING YOU, the angry, self-righteous crowd, to deliver low wage service jobs.

Every time you buy something at Walmart and not locally you support low wages, thus a market for low wage jobs.

kcatch9 | 12:03 p.m. Feb. 24, 2008

I love that so many natural-born citizens of the U.S. are so quick to tell immigrants to "go home" as if because they were born on one plot of land they have more god-given human rights than someone else. My first question, in response to this, is: "How do you know that they even have a home to go back to?"

I also love that so many people are so concerned about "upholding the law." To this I question: "How many of you actually know what the current immigration laws require? How many of you know the history of how immigration laws were formed? Were you aware that until 1952 a "person of color" did not even have the "possibility of citizenship by naturalization?"

The fact is, the immigration laws of the U.S. are very complicated and have a history of being unjust and discriminatory. Maybe rather than blindly enforcing the "laws" that are founded on unsound and unjust principles our first step should be correcting the laws' flaws and being humane to those against whom the laws' flaws have discriminated.

Please don't be ignorant and rude to those in whose shoes you will never ever have to walk.

Anonymous | 12:28 p.m. Feb. 24, 2008

to sluggo: 90% of the workers at fast food places and stores around me are non Latino. And of the 10% that are, can you prove they are not legal? That's the same argument for allowing legal immigration, so why not do it right? Make everyone become legal and no amnesty. Amnesty never worked in 1986.

Alison Moore Smith | 12:35 p.m. Feb. 24, 2008

>> Hispanic community leaders are urging people > Yapias warned the audience that past demonstrations made some people fearful of immigrants >Gardner said he believes the state would lose out on tens of millions of tax dollars if immigrants decided to leave the state. >Attendee Alvaro Lopez during the public comment period said he is confused by anti-immigration activists <<

He's "confused" because there aren't any "anti-immigration activists." (Are these so-called "leaders" in the Hispanic community really this dumb? Or are they just perpetually dishonest in their rhetoric?) All of us have root as immigrants. But there are a lot of people here who actually believe in following the laws. Go figure.

Steven Rinehart | 12:42 p.m. Feb. 24, 2008

I hope Huntsman is smart enough to sign this bill . . . but he's note. He's a liberal trying to kiss up to everyone but the citizens of Utah so he move on to something else after being Governor. Traitor.

Park City Resident | 12:43 p.m. Feb. 24, 2008

Any group of people that would come here illegally and then demand to have a say in our legislative process is reprehensible.

If the governor veto's SB-81 we'll veto him next time he is up for election.

Anonymous | 12:52 p.m. Feb. 24, 2008

They need to take a good look at the first word of the next sentence. "ILLEGAL ALIENS". Please stop demanding ANYTHING until you have legal status.

Be Grateful | 1:35 p.m. Feb. 24, 2008

For what we have in this country.

Bill | 1:54 p.m. Feb. 24, 2008

Send the illegals back to where they belong!!! Not just mexicans, but, all of them!!! Sign the bill and let's get them out of here!!! But, we can be compasionate about it....they know it's coming so they should start making their arrangements to leave.

USA money sent to Mexico.. | 2:25 p.m. Feb. 24, 2008

I think that the illegals and their families need to help transport themselves all back to their own country. They have sent money they have made in the USA back to Mexico, so it is up to their families in Mexico to make sure that they all have a safe trip home. It is not our responsibility to help criminals who have stolen from us.

Janey | 3:53 p.m. Feb. 24, 2008

I have a very hard time finding the words to make a decent comment on this issue. I cannot, for the life of me, understand why Americans are having to fight a mighty battle to be heard by those in charge of our Country. Why in the world would even one legislator, who has sworn to uphold the law, make any other decision except to do just that - Uphold the Law?!?!? What part of "Illegal" do they not understand? They sure would not be that kind to me as an American if I broke the law.

I am also sick and tired of those who say we were once illegal because our ancestors came to this country and took over the land from the indians. Has anyone stopped to think of where the indians came from?

JWK | 3:53 p.m. Feb. 24, 2008

Regardless of what is said here, we have three presidential candidates who all accept amnesty. The illegals know they only have to hold on a year more and they will be made legal.

Make sure that you vote for Senators and Congressmen that will stand up to the new president on illegal immigration.

Stewart | 3:55 p.m. Feb. 24, 2008

It looks like from this article that Tony Yapias is learning since he advises the "Hispanics" to be careful. It seems also that he has learned what the citizens think of their demands and protests.

He still hasn't learned that it is not about being "Hispanic" but it is about illegal immigration which also includes over 50,000 illegals from Ireland, thousands more than that from China, Africa and the Middle East. He needs to get over this ethnic thing. (not a racial issue since Hispanic and Latino are not races, but only ethnic groups)

RE-JWK | 4:07 p.m. Feb. 24, 2008

Those president candidates will say anything to be elected. You don't honestly think anyone you vote for is really going to do exactly what they say they will...LOL! It just doesn't happen. They will say anything you want to hear for your vote. DA!

Don't give people false hope!

Higher Wages | 4:54 p.m. Feb. 24, 2008

The biggest fallacy being perpetuated in this debate is the illogical idea that illegals are doing jobs that Americans won't do. It's more correct and more logical to say Americans won't do the jobs for the wages underhanded employers want to pay them. Thus, illegals come in and take this less-than-minimum wage jobs. This does two things: One, it costs honest American workers opportunities. And, secondly, it lowers the wage of the average American worker. Wages go up when there is a scarcity of workers. If illegals weren't here, Americans would be doing the jobs illegals are doing, but for a higher price. Business owners may not make as much, but the middle class would be much larger and thriving and crime, which is disproportionately committed by the lower classes, would drop. This bill is about the restoration of fair market competition for labor and the restoration of the American Dream. It's not about Mexicans or Hispanics--they're all welcome here, if they come legally. But the bill protects the American worker by allowing them to be paid what they are worth.

Mikey | 5:12 p.m. Feb. 24, 2008

To: balance

I'm with you. I hope to read an article in the Deseret News that is truly "balanced" in regard to the ILLEGAL immigrant issue.

But I'm afraid I'll die first.

The Deseret News should be absolutely ashamed.

A LEGAL CITIZEN | 5:19 p.m. Feb. 24, 2008

I am so angry at the lawmakers we have sent to Washington in years and years past amd present, who have passed laws that make honest decent people furious and which are illegal according to the constitution of the United States of America!

They have done it to suit their own will and agendas,not the will of the majority of citizens in this country.

They think we are stupid and lazy, but we had faith when we sent them to Washington, that they would be honest and not sneak around behind closed doors and that they would do the will of the PEOPLE AND HONOR THE RULE OF LAW! It is very frightening that we cannot trust some of them and they have done this country a world of harm.

Let's examine the men and women's voting records carefully before we vote to send them to represent us. We know that some of the hispanics have an "agenda" also. They bite the hands of those who feed them.

teacher | 5:27 p.m. Feb. 24, 2008

All I know is that between no child left behind and illegal immigration, a lot of your tax dollars is being spent trying to make sure we don't leave these kids behind. These are tax dollars that need to be spent on gifted and talented programs, not trying to help kids that are already so far behind, that we can never catch them up.

David P | 5:28 p.m. Feb. 24, 2008

Buena Suerte a los hispanos y mexicanos!!

God Bless These children of Heavenly Father.

itsjustme | 5:57 p.m. Feb. 24, 2008

Of course illegals would be against any law that makes it harder, or impossible to be in our country illegally.

Why don't all these illegals that are here whining and complaining about our laws, go back to the countries that they are legally citizens of, and do something to make their homeland a desirable place to live and work.

If you talk to people in law enforcement here, they will tell you that the majority of the law breakers they encounter are in this country illegally. If we get them out of our country now, we will be less likely to continue the slide towards the U.S. becoming a third world country that these people are trying to bring here with them.

mike | 5:56 p.m. Feb. 24, 2008

Why do they take jobs no one else wants? because
those job have no medical benefits. They don't need them they get them for free. Refusing to pay thier own medical bill when contacted by collectors.
In San Diego county alone last year it is eastimated that some where from 100 million to 2oo million dollars was paid out for Health care alone.
I guess Utahanns want to pay for their free medical also. They can also buy health insurance, but why would you when all of us are so genourous. The average citizen gets charged 2 or 3 time higher than what it cost to treat on person to keep those businesses running.

Also, no physical exams are required bring possiblity of out of some diseases that we thought we had conquered. At one time at Ellis Island it was a requirement. Those not in good condition were sent back.

The argument you hear is they are all here to work hard. Some are, but according to the US Justice department stats one third or our prision population in the US, and Half the prison population in California is made up of illegals.

Sadie | 5:58 p.m. Feb. 24, 2008

Buena Suerte a los hispanos y mexicanos!! Have a safe trip back to Mexico. God will bless you for doing the right thing. Go in peace and obey all American laws.

Paul | 6:10 p.m. Feb. 24, 2008

Let me understand this---Yapias and illegals are against the bill creating obstacles against illegal immigrants finding jobs or public benefits? And what is wrong with that?? Who pays for those public benfefits? I do. I'll gladly pay ten cents more for my tomato thank you, and save hundreds for not having to pay for the health care, welfare, and education of millioins of illegal immigrant anchor babies.

When will these illegals and the liberal politicians who pander to them get it? People are sick and tired of them demanding rights after breaking our immigration laws, driving down our wages, and flooding our education, welfare, and health care system to the point of bankruptcy.

Hernandez said "we have rights in God's eyes." But guess what, we all have rights in God's eyes, but you don't have rights as an American just as I don't have rights in Japan. GET IT!!

Anonymous | 6:18 p.m. Feb. 24, 2008

I demand that Harvard Law School let me in, even though I don't have the grades, LSAT score, or money to pay for it. I have rights in God's eyes. I just want to work as an attorney. I demand they let me in now or else I'll sick my big liberal politician on them and claim racism until they let me in.

Now do you get it????

Greg S. | 6:48 p.m. Feb. 24, 2008

You Americans don't get it ! Did'nt you hear the president of mexico say,"wherever there is a mexican, that is mexico!" Tony is just being loyal to Felipe Calderon and the gang south of the border.
Gov. Huntsman, we implore you to listen to the citizens of Utah. Do not even consider veto. How can illegals manipulate our system of laws and government so easily?

Kent L. | 6:53 p.m. Feb. 24, 2008

Lee Gardner needs to be taken to the wood shed. What is a public official doing encourageing illegal aliens. In my mind he is breaking the law by aiding and abetting. Who are the "many people" behind the scenes tring to "educate" properly the legislature? This lap dog needs to be on a leash.

Mike D. | 7:02 p.m. Feb. 24, 2008

Just read an article about Vallejo, California. This city may be the first city in California to declare inslovency. Why? Illegal aliens, non-tax paying burdens to society have overloaded the system and it has collapsed from within. Nice future to leave our kids.

wrz | 7:11 p.m. Feb. 24, 2008

"Salt Lake City enforces parking violations aggressively how ever it is a wink and nod to people who have came into the country illegally."

I would be surprised if the City doesn't let illegals park illegally as well.

qzr | 7:28 p.m. Feb. 24, 2008

"Why haven't we heard from any legal Hispanics that want the law followed?"

Because they are in league with their kin folk. They are trying to build an Hispanic majority in this country so they can eventually become the majority. Hispanics have already beat out African-Americans for the largest minority.

Time for change | 7:45 p.m. Feb. 24, 2008

I think it awful how LEGAL Americans are being taken advantage of by the government to spend money on the illegalï¿½s, and as well with our hard earned tax money. It is not the LEGAL American who invited these Illegal people here. We are the ones who are being discriminated upon. And then after whatï¿½s taken from us they have the nerve to call us racists!

Itï¿½s NOT FAIR! That we work so hard for our families and our tax money goes towards supporting illegals. This money should all go to benefit our individual American families, and in no way shape or form go to any illegals! Whatï¿½s fair is fair and this is NOT FAIR!

PLEASE!!--- SOMEONE HELP THE HARD WORKING LEGAL AMERICANS!

Guh | 7:42 p.m. Feb. 24, 2008

You have a right "In God's eyes" to quit breaking the law. Plain and simple.

Too disgusted for words | 7:55 p.m. Feb. 24, 2008

It blows my mind that the media would even cover this gathering. I wonder what the attendance of that meeting would have been if there were border patrol agents present by the doors going in. Illegal aliens have ZERO rights to lobby for laws in the US. They are citizens of whatever country they left to come here. I would be willing to bet that thousands of people have been punished for crimes related to trying to support their families or to have a better life. Do we also grant amnesty to bank robbers, petty thieves who were doing it for their families. NO that would be absurd. Laws are meant to protect the people. They should not be rewarded for mocking America and proverbially spitting in the face of our laws of immigration. I am very open to legal immigration. Those who break the law are criminals by definition, laws and punishments for those laws, keep order. Yes there are economic repercussions but we can face those with order and skill with the right people in office. Put there by the legal citizens of the US whose right that is.

Does this bill even do anything? | 8:29 p.m. Feb. 24, 2008

I have a serious problem with agenda journalism articles such as this. The reporter focuses on only one side of the human element. The only thing that we are told about this bill is it "creates obstacles against undocumented immigrants finding jobs or public benefits." Uh, OK. That's it? My understanding is if someone is in the country without proper documentation, they are prohibited from employment. And my understanding is undocumented immigrants are not allowed to collect many types of public benefits (but many manage to abuse the health system). This isn't news, right? So why is this bill even the least bit controversial? It would be nice to have a little more information about the specifics of the bill and a little less of the emotional drivel.

. | 8:48 p.m. Feb. 24, 2008

I'll tell you a story. Our daughter went to Utah to college and settled in with a few roommates in an apartment. One room was empty. A few weeks later, a Mongolian or Chinese girl took up residence in the room. She didn't speak English, wasn't paying rent, cooked in her room, left disgusting smelling garbage on the stairs, did strange rituals with water during all hours of the night. She was a squatter and probably illegal. The landlord wouldn't do anything about it, the college wouldn't do anything about it, so the roommates were stuck. Finally, a new landlord evicted her. It was awful. This illegal problem isn't going to go away..the government is too lax...I don't think they know what to do. Middle Easterners got in here on Visa's and then attacked us. Even with a Visa, they they don't go home. The problem is too big. More terrible and other depressing things are going to happen. I believe that the Latinos believe that this is their land..that they are just taking it back. They really have a system going, and there is no stopping it. It makes my blood boil when they take to the streets protesting.

BigPoet | 8:45 p.m. Feb. 24, 2008

The legislature must pass the omnibus immigration bill, SB81. If they fail to do so, they will aide and abet thousands of illegal residents in obtaining federal and state assistance funds by fraud. Money will continue to flow from the taxpayers' wallets to illegal residents in the school system, healthcare system, human services, and public safety spending. This must stop. Let these illegals obey, honor, and sustain the law.

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.