Deseret News | Reader comments: No DREAM Act in Senate

Reader comments
No DREAM Act in Senate

Utahn Against Illegals | 6:04 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

Hatch and Bennett both voted for the dream act. It is obvious they are out of touch with the citizens of the state of Utah. They both need to resign their elected office and retire.

Mike W. | 7:09 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

It's a travesty that "conservatives", many of whom proclaim to be Christian are so focused on the "letter of the law" that they cannot see the need for compassion and concern on this immigration issue. What better population to assist than those provide for in the DREAM act. Credit to Sen. Hatch and Bennett for voting for it, but these other hypocritical conservatives who care only for their own and promote the "rule of law." What laws are they breaking daily? What is the beam in their eyes while they try to pull the mote out of the eye of these children of illegal immigrants?

Thomas Jefferson | 8:51 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

The Dream Act is an outright assault on the Culture, Language, and borders of our country. It is Amnesty straight and forward. Hatch and Bennett should be fired and replaced! They do not represent the citizenry of Utah! Enough is enough.

The illegals are illegal and need to be sent back. Fact is, while they may be a cheap bargain for business, they import drugs, disease, and crime.

Bennett and Hatch need to be reminded that in accordance to the Constitution that they represent WE THE PEOPLE, not corporations, and that they are obligated to fulfill their oath to the Constitution, which they are not. How can we expect borders when our 2 supposedly "conservative" senators are doing everything they can to undermine the will of the people. This is an outrage!

Comments continue below

JWK | 9:02 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

The problem with the Dream Act is not allowing students to become citizens because they came here with their parents but that once they become citizens then they can help those same parents to jump to the head of the line for citizenship.

If they were to allow these students what the bill allows them, but not give them the opportunity to bring their families legalization then the bill would probably pass.

Mike W needs to understand that while everyone breaks laws, including him, when they are caught they will have to pay for their mistake. That is not happening with illegal immigrants. To the contrary, people are trying to reward them for breaking the law.

Perhaps we should give a bank robber the money he took along with a pat on the back for thinking outside the box. Or grant child molesters a pass for their behavior.

When you pick and choose the laws you want to enforce then there is no law. As it is, there are many criminals in this country that are not deported because their countries don't want them back. We get stuck with them.

RH | 9:12 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

Since when is a 21 or 24 year old a child? I believe they are young adults. The individuals who are hear illegally, should not get a silver platter handout from our government. There are thousands of people who waited in line to get their credentials to be in the U.S. and it was done legally.
Enough of amnesty ideas, enter the country the proper way and they can attend any college they want and pay taxes like the rest of us. My grandfather had to wait in line, so can they.

Matt S | 9:21 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

Tell me why the child of an ILLEGAL immigrant should receive preferential treatment over my child. I and others like me are the ones who pay the taxes. The parents of illegal immigrants do not bear the burden of taxes as many work under the table for cash. There is a billion dollar underground economy that is not being taxed and paying its fair share of taxes. Those who do pay taxes are doing so illegally using stolen or forged documents to the detriment of some other person. So these people do not deserve anything more than they are already getting and deserve much less.

You see their is a difference between someone asking for help and someone who takes what they want. Christians are taught that if a man asks you for your cloak then give him two. Not if a man breaks into your house and steals your cloak give him two.

I guess Orrin Hatch and Bob Bennett should be called the do nothing for Utah Senators as they seem to not care what their constituents want.

5366339 | 9:51 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

This Is no DREAM act???alot of people would say it is i dont understand why this insnt a co;untry where you have tobe a DREAM to live in

Ing | 9:54 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

I agree that we need to have better control over who enters our country and why, but if Hatch and Bennett are out of touch with the citizens of Utah on this issue, that's a *good* thing.

We need to provide a way for people who really do want to become citizens--and in most of the ways that really count, are already citizens--to do so. If they'll agree to abide by the law, we should let them. Especially in this case.

The sad thing about the immigration issue is that it continually gets hijacked by the most extreme elements--like Tom Tancredo trying to get three young people arrested at a press conference, as if they were terrorist infiltrators. Good grief.

We'll never get anywhere until people are willing to think rationally and work together for a fair compromise.

Penelope | 9:56 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

I called both senators' offices and asked that they vote against the so-called "Dream" act. They don't listen to us, their constituents, by the way. It's not lack of compassion that causes who you call "hypocritical conservatives" to be against bills such as this. And, in my case, it isn't just the rule-of-law, it's looking ahead to see where this kind of legislation is going to take us and the effect it will have on Utah citizens, and all Americans, ultimately. Our system just can't handle funding freebie benefits for everyone who comes to this country illegally. We can't even afford to do it for our own. Open your eyes, people. Take a serious look at what this situation is doing to our country -- the cost, the steep drift toward socialism -- giving someone something for nothing at the expense of those who are willing to follow the rules. I have nothing against the illegal immigrants personally, I just feel we can't afford them. I'm irritated with both Bennett and Hatch and get tired of their "canned" responses to my letters that basically say they know better than everyone else and will do just what they want.

IM | 10:25 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

Thank you Mike for the insight, this is such a crazy issue that I think if people really sit and give some thought to it - I'm confident that they'll reach a reasonable conclusion.

Jeff F | 10:39 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

Mike W.
The law they are breaking daily is living in the country illegally. I am not against immigration, but why would we want to give people breaking the law special treatment when it comes to legalization over those who are doing it the right way.

Fred | 10:48 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

Utahn against illegals - Who made you my spokesperson? Hatch and Bennett did just what I would have wanted them to do. T. Jefferson - They bring disease, drugs and crime? Really? Some do, certainly, but what about all the legal white trash bringing bigotry and corruption to this country? Come to think of it, the same could be said about the illegals who landed at Plymouth Rock.
My wife works in a school with a high percentage of minorities. Some of them are problems, but most are good, intelligent kids. The worst problems by far are the white kids.
The DREAM act is not about giving bank robbers, child abusers and rapists a free ride. It is about kids, people, a break for being decent human beings and helping the United States of America by being educated and serving all of us in the military. As someone said recently, "If this were about 12 million Norwegians it would be a non-issue". Take off the illegal and brown colored glasses and see these people as human beings. Just for the record I am white and legal.

John A. Reynolds | 10:54 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

They will keep trying to bring this up and get it through. They will also probably try to get portions of it through as time goes by. We must all be vigilant and let them know each time it comes up, that the people do NOT want this ugly bill or any part of it. It rewards illegals and sends the wrong message to those coming here illegally. If we don't get this under control soon, our nation will not be recognizeable in less than 20 years....

Steve in California | 10:57 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

First SCHIP now the Dream Act. Those are votes that would be expected from our liberal Senators here in California. You people in Utah need some new senators as bad as we do.

Cayce Weber | 10:57 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

Matt S.

1. Obviously you have not studied the realities of the amounts of tax money illegals bring to the US. In Texas, the deportation of all illegals would suck out 5 BILLION dollars in taxes they DO pay. It is estimated that only 2-3 Billion is spent on them in Texas. That is a net loss of 2 Billion. Duh.

2. Illegals come because the US Senate and Congress has refused for twenty years, to adjust immigration laws and policy to meet the needs of our Nation, and the needs of these people.

3. Applicants are taken for all the money they can come up with, and then denied the opportunity to immigrate. Over and over the US takes their money and says NO.

REALITY: There is NO opportunity to COME LEGALLY!!!!!

I'm appalled at the lack of humanity, the lack of compassion and lack of understanding of all you people who write in...and NO, you don't use your name because you are cowards.

Put your name up behind your opinion. Your facts are wrong, you have LITTLE grasp of the reality of the issues, and half your statements are false.

Mike W. | 10:57 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

JWK,

When illegal immigrants are caught, they do pay for their "crimes." The immigration laws are essentially unenforcible. Otherwise there would not be 12 million illegal immigrants in the U.S. The only solution to the problem is to make legal immigration a more stream-lined process, otherwise, as long as the market needs more labor, more immigrants will come.

Matt S,

Most illegal immigrants pay income taxes, all pay sales and property taxes (which fund your children's education and their's). You can continue to use falsities to justify your feelings, but the truth is much more powerful.

As for the rest of the isolationist, prejudicial commentors, I look forward to the day when again a majority of people in this county are Christians and care more about their families and family values than they do about preserving false conservative values. This will likely only happen with the influx of Latin Americans, as they espouse these values.

TJ (I can't bring myself to use the name of the great founder in conjunction with your comments), most (>90%) of the "illegals" bring no such drugs, disease, or crime. Your bigotry is unfathomable.

Mike W. | 11:00 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

Until we start seeing all others as human beings and continue to classify them as "them" we can never understand or solve the problems. As long as we continue to assign our brothers and sisters pejorative names and say the words with the disdain present in the comments, we will never comprehend, and therefore never solve these deeply rooted problems.

Fred V | 11:00 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

First let me say I am against the DREAM Act.

Secondly, Hatch and Bennett didn't vote for the DREAM Act. They voted to let the debate go forward. There is a difference. Whether or not they will vote for the Act has yet to be seen.

Wake Up! | 11:00 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

This was not a dream...it was a NIGHTMARE! How do you prove someone was under the age of 16 when they entered the country? You canï¿½t, because they came here ILLEGALLY. Hello? The only people that check in at the boarder are LEGAL immigrants. But ironically they wouldnï¿½t qualify for the program!

It begs the question: Why even bother to come here legally? Just sneak in, and wait for Durbin and Reid to pass an amnesty bill. Enjoy the benefits of America while your naï¿½ve law-abiding countrymen wait at home. The saps back home do immigration paperwork and wait. Meanwhile, you get a job! Your kids enjoy free education compliments of the American taxpayer. Get free health care at the ER or public clinic. Come on in. Donï¿½t stand in line, just jump the fence like everyone else...Oh wait, there is no fence.

Cayce Weber | 11:02 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

Love Thy Neighbor. Not when it is convenient, not when there is no sacrifice. Just "LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF" Seems to me, this is what are Senators are trying to do.

Again, Matt S., Christians are taught to give the cloak...okay Matt, when are you going to give the cloak????

How about when the people ask to come here in the first place. They are told no when they try to immigrate legally. Then when they do come, they are told no anyway. At what point do you suggest we give the cloak Matt??????

If you know anything about immigration, from the time they even ask to immigrate at our US Embassy, they are taken for their money, and then told NO anyway.

Our Congress has refused to increase immigration to meet the needs of our nation for twenty years...now they face the repercussions of their own inaction.

Again, I'm appalled at all the mighty Utahns in their huge homes on the hill, looking down on their needy brothers and shutting ALL doors which may help!

Shame on you people. The Lord is bringing these people here. This is evident from 2 Nephi, who promised this land to righteous!

Mahershalalhashbaz | 11:19 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

I'm glad this dream act fails time and time again. What is that, the 3500th time you liberal senators have failed. Why, because we the people don't want it. Wake up! We want the border sealed first and foremost, we want illegals to get OUT of our country, and we want drugs to go with them. Until you make sure that happens, don't ask us to support you on anything else! That goes for phony liberal Bush & liberal John Huntsman the younger too.

DaWi | 11:34 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

Considering the "brain-drain" from the U.S., doesn't it make sense to try to retain as many people as possible who want to go to college or join the military, already speak the language and know the culture, and are of upstanding character as possible? I think the DREAM Act is a great idea.

ccc | 11:35 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

JWK...

You are seriously comparing Bank robbers and child molesters with illegal "aliens". You can not compare apples to oranges my friend. These are kids who want to become professionals and serve in our communities.

To all of those who are Christian, or anyone who is not atheist, answer this: What crime are these kids committing under the eyes of God?

For those who do not believe in a God, here is another way to think about it. We are in need of nurses, engineers, and professionals here in Utah. This is a fact, research it. Is it not a good idea to, letï¿½s say, use the potential of these students to attenuate this problem? Do you agree that by graduating more professionals (whether legal or illegal) is a step in the right direction to solve this problem? Letï¿½s not kill the goose my friend.

And for those who have hate in your hearts, there is no way in Earth I will change your minds. Only you can identify if it is hate that you feel.

Thank you.

Thomas Jefferson | 11:55 a.m. Oct. 25, 2007

Penelope..you are correct. They are not listening to the voters, instead I am led to believe that they are part of the grand scheme...a nation with no borders, language, or culture..the plan for north america to be one.

These illegals need to be sent back to their country of origin. Those who go back first, get into the lottery first. Then, and only then, once we have a REAL border, they should apply for citizenship just like everybody else. I support controlled and limited immigration. They need to come here just like our forefathers.

Why should we bear the price for the gross negligence and derelection of duty by the US Government? They let this happen and continue to, hence who is the government serving?

Fact is, 1/3rd of prison inmates are here illegally. The mass of drugs come right up from Mexico..my DEA friend already told me about this. How about those Mexican flags flying above ours in Reno..and they want to become citizens of the U.S...I think not

This is driven by pure greed. The government doesn't care about our heritage, language and culture. Their problem is that we do.

John | 12:50 p.m. Oct. 25, 2007

Hatch and Bennett did not vote for the dream act, they voted to bring it to the floor so it could be voted on either up or down, more than likely down, killing it for ever. Unless it goes to a floor for a vote for passage or to kill it, the damn thing will probably rear its ugly head again in the next year or so or unless the Demmies win both houses in 2008 and, then they could bring it back with enough votes to stuff it down our throats

GVS | 1:14 p.m. Oct. 25, 2007

About 75& of Utahns and Americans oppose illegal immigration, and benefits such as instate tuition which helps encourage the flow of illegal aliens. It was discouraging to see Sen. Hatch re-elected, almost unopposed in 2006. He and Senator Bennett have decided that they have been elected to support foreigners rather than Utahns or or even U.S. Citizens

Make no mistake this is not about the "the children," it is about money, power, political influence, and globalism. The financial support of illegal immigration comes from, cheap labor employers wanting to maintain depressed wages, ethnocentric groups with a desire for political power, and globalists' desire to move consumers from poor countries to countries where these consumers can spend more for whatever the globalists are selling.

Then there are the empathy groups that would take in every stray that came down the street. I know an elderly lady that had over 60 cats in her home which had to be closed up, and the cats removed. Of course these folks are easily used by the less empathetic powers.

Blue Never Doubts | 1:51 p.m. Oct. 25, 2007

You know, GVS, Thomas Jefferson (a blight to his great name), and others who spout off so much blabber about the illegals....My daughter is in the country illegally. I'm her Dad, I'm white. She is a manager of a restaurant...know why??? Because she was the only one out of 13 (whites) that came to work on time, as scheduled, and didn't smoke, come drunk, etc. She is dark, the problems were the whites...wake up whites...some higher power might kick you off this continent, so HE can bring a righteous people from the south to inhabit this country and worship HIM!

Obviously, you all don't. Because you raise up against your brothers. A little love, understanding and kindness is needed here...AND a little trust in God to provide for our nation. Are you so scared?

Penelope | 3:21 p.m. Oct. 25, 2007

Hatch is one of the SPONSORS of the Dream Act, so I'd say there's a good chance he will vote for it. And yes, you're right, the most recent vote was not directly for/against the legislation, but rather about whether to bring it up for a vote.

BND, you can be proud that you have a daughter who is reliable and takes responsibility. Those of us against illegal immigration are not "rais(ing) up against our brothers". We're trying to preserve a righteous, lawful order in our state and our country. There is nothing unrighteous about that.

2conservative4u | 4:37 p.m. Oct. 25, 2007

Thomas Jefferson and all anti-immigration fanatics, close mind and christians-when-convenient people.

I agree with you on ONE issue let's round them up and deport all the illegals here in the US.

But I'll be even MORE CONSERVATIVE than all of you.

Let's deport all the illegals in the US since 1492

talked to hatch personally | 4:37 p.m. Oct. 25, 2007

senator hatch is in favor of passing the dream act. I talked to him personally and have a letter from his office on his senatorial letterhead stating that he favors the bill and supports it vith a yes vote. get rid of this person who represents a small minority of utahns. let the majority rule. if the minority does not like it they can move to mexico.

CaptainK | 4:44 p.m. Oct. 25, 2007

All of you preaching love, and calling those against illegal immigration "racist" and "prejudice" are missing the entire point. This is about people who are breaking the law by being here. For all of the so called good illegals may do, they drain our welfare system, and strain many resources. Many hospitals in states that border Mexico have closed their doors. If you don't believe me, do some research. Billions and Billions are spent each year on medicaid, education, incarceration, welfare, etc, etc, for people here illegally. And for any taxes that they pay (using others' s.s. numbers) they send billions more back to their country of origin. Once again, if you dispute this, do some research. Please, I know this is an emotional issue, but let's think clearly. Immigration law is in place for a reason. I have no problem with "legal" immigration. However, those coming here need to go through the proper steps. This isn't about "loving your neighbor" or racism/prejudice. It's about the law, and why it even exists.

Robert D | 5:49 p.m. Oct. 25, 2007

I have visited over 16 Mexican states and have great respect for the people I met. And I'm embarrassed at some of the hateful rhetoric I read on these postings. BUT I think it is absurd that so many people support granting citizenship to people who come here illegally. Mexico is one of the more wealthy nations in the world. They're exporting their poverty problem, and taking advantage of remittances. I wonder how many immigrants really want to become US citizens, as opposed to those who just come for economic prosperity. Last, it is crazy to propose legislation that would grant citizenship to illegals just for serving in our military. It's equally ridiculous to have Mexican nationals, marching in our streets, waving their flag, and chanting in Spanish to demand rights. I would never dream of having the gall to do that in another country.

TDub | 6:22 a.m. Oct. 26, 2007

It would be nice to know where all of these percentages come from about how many Utahns are against immigration, etc. Most people who write to these comment pages are extremely non-thinking radicals who are so caught up in seeing their comments in print that they will say almost anything. Let's quit comparing people and get on with life. BTW: it's easy to find out when someone came into the country if you will look at the school records...duh!

Thomas Jefferson | 8:09 a.m. Oct. 26, 2007

2conservative4u...Those who came before, worked to have a new life, to escape religious persecution and to become an American despite the hardships. Then, there was no free health care, free public schools, and social services. Those before earned it, the illegals come to benefit the wage payer on the cheap, then use public services for free, including in-state tuition at the university. They do not pay taxes and send their money back to Mexico. Furthermore, the Europeans brought skills, brains, and intelligence, not disease, crime and drugs..for the most part. The Europeans assimilated..the illegals do not. The Mexican government is facilitating this illegal activity and the US Government is the accomplice. Why doesn't the Mexican government get its act together so their own people can stay and have a life? Instead, the Mexican government sees a convenient way for us to take care of their problem. Are we to accept all illegals? George Carlin said it correctly...we are circling the drain..

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