Comments about ‘Gov. Gary Herbert voices concern over Arizona immigration law’

I am concerned too! Has he read the Arizona law? Illegal is illegal! What else do you need to know? Too bad they can't get into a concert. Obey the laws and you won't get stopped.

I am ecstatic every time I see more people commenting about Arizona's law, even those who criticize it (except Mexican officials, who need to shut up about our internal affairs, or admit they support infiltration). If Arizona's law is not the answer (and it really isn't, but one appreciates some semblance of an effort), then we MUST keep talking about this issue until it is addressed properly by our federal government. Such action would not only benefit natural born citizens, but also legal immigrants and those who wish to become legal immigrants.

"Clearly, you cannot just on a hunch question people. That would be a violation of the 14th Amendment."

It is called reasonable suspicion, governor and yes you can. Your own state officers do it all the time. Get educated before you start spouting off.

I am beginning to get reasonable suspicion about you being pro illegal immigration.

Wow. Now lets have all the Republicans on DNews try to explain how the Gov. has the facts wrong, and just doesn't understand this bill.

Good for him. Sounds like he's actually read the bill, unlike the talking heads on Faux News, and understands it is completely unconstitutional.

He out to spread some of this newfound common sense with the majority of DNews readers.

williary-

Have another beer. Reasonable suspicion is the basis for the Arizona law and is a common standard of law enforcement worldwide. Maybe you should starting watching Fox news then maybe you would know what you are talking about.

Williary: NO ONE ON FOX NEWS HAS EVER SAID THE LAW IS NOT UNCONSTITUTIONAL. It may well be unconstitutional since this is a federal responsibility. I think it's pretty clear that you do not watch Fox News or you would know that.

All they have said is that the law does not do what the critics claim it does--promote racial profiling. The law specifically prohibits racial profiling.

This law is a cry for help. The feds aren't doing their job and Arizona just can't take it any longer. They did this to try and force Obama into doing HIS JOB.

I feel really sorry for Arizona. This is a really difficult issue and I think most of us are conflicted on it. But, we've got to start enforcing the borders, NOW!

I also think if we put heavy penalties on employers who hire illegals, we would see a drastic reduction in illegal immigration and MANY of them would leave the country if they can't get jobs.

THIS IS A CRISIS!

@ Mr. Reality:

If you think watching Fox News will help you know what you are talking about, then you have no right to call yourself Mr. Reality. That has to be about the funniest thing I've ever heard.

Man up Utah and do the same thing AZ is doing!!

"Clearly, you cannot just on a hunch question people. That would be a violation of the 14th Amendment. You certainly can't use national origin, ethnicity, the color of your skin as a criteria for a hunch,"

Guess what gov, the AZ law prohibits doing what you said in that quote. If those are your only constitutional concerns, then you really have none. Quit getting your information from MSNBC.

"Clearly, you cannot just on a hunch question people. That would be a violation of the 14th Amendment. You certainly can't use national origin, ethnicity, the color of your skin as a criteria for a hunch,"

Obviously the gov gets his information from MSNBC. The AZ law specifically prohibits officers from stopping or questioning anyone based oi national origin, ethnicity, or the color of their skin.

"Clearly, you cannot just on a hunch question people. That would be a violation of the 14th Amendment. You certainly can't use national origin, ethnicity, the color of your skin as a criteria for a hunch,"

guess what Mr. Herbert, the law specifically prohibits officers from stopping or questioning people based on their national origin, ethnicity, or the color of their skin.

Stop getting your information from mnsbc.

"Clearly, you cannot just on a hunch question people. That would be a violation of the 14th Amendment. You certainly can't use national origin, ethnicity, the color of your skin as a criteria for a hunch,"

The law specifically prohibits that, Mr. Herbert.

To Cynic: Another example of someone who doesn't watch Fox News and therefore has absolutely no idea what is on Fox news. It's very easy to spout out what those who attack Fox News say. It takes someone who is open minded enough to go and check it out for themself to really know what's there.

Cynic-

Did you actually read my post? Or did you just decide to attack it because it had "Fox news" in it?

If you implement immigration enforcement law based upon probable cause, (a reasonable belief that a person has committed a crime), rather than a law based upon reasonable suspicion (a person has been, is, or is about to be engaged in criminal activity based on specific facts and inferences), then what is the value-added of implementing such a law? One could also argue the same applies to the Arizona law, which is based upon reasonable suspicion rather than probable cause.

But when the Governor states that "…you cannot just on a hunch question people" that is not necessarily true. A unanimous Supreme Court decision in 2005 (Muehler v. Mena, 544 U.S. 93) held that:

"Even when officers have no basis for suspecting a particular individual, they may generally ask questions of that individual; ask to examine the individual’s identification; and request consent to search his or her luggage…the officers [do] not need reasonable suspicion to ask…for [a] name, date and place of birth, or immigration status."

Under current U.S. immigration law, Federal enforcement agents do not have any restrictions (reasonable suspicion or probable cause) when it comes to questioning anyone about their immigration status.

I'm really tired of this issue. Can we just offer temporary work visas w/ fingerprinting and photo to make these people legal? (Fingerprints would be used as a sort of birth certificate to ensure the visas are non-transferrable - check for fraud.) If they are convicted of a felony the visa is revoked, all property confiscated and they are deported.

If police already have the authority (which they do) to stop and detain a person and ask for identification when they have a reasonable suspicion the person has committed a crime, then why is the Arizona law necessary? It would be stupid and a waste of time to pass a law that doesn't change anything.

The reason the Arizona law is offensive is that it DOES expand police authority. It allows police to stop and detain a person on reasonable suspicion that they have violated any state law, or county, city or town ordinance. Once they have done so, if they ALSO have reasonable suspicion that the person is in the country illegally, the law gives them the right to make the person prove citizenship. In other words, if you violate a city ordinance by not mowing your lawn, the police can stop you, ask you to prove you are a citizen, and if you don't happen to have ID on you, they can lock you up for as long as they want until you can provide that proof.

This is much broader than previous law, and opens the door to great abuse.

The best examples of politicians who made excuses for illegal alien invaders in Utah are: Bob Bennett, and Chris Cannon.

Finally the Gov does/says something I agree with. Yes something needs to be done, but this is not it!

Citizens are not required to carry any documentation on them, unless operating a motor vehicle. An officer cannot stop and demand identification, unless they have probable cause. They can ASK anytime they want, but I am well within my rights to deny his request.

@ Cats and Mr. Reality:
Yes, I read your post, and I have commented on it, if the censors allow it. And actually, I do watch Fox News all the time. I enjoy it for the entertainment value. After all, Glenn Beck told Forbes magazine he doesn't care about politics, he's an entertainment company. I find that to be true. He makes me laugh, and he has an interesting way of sharing his ideas. But if you are looking for a truthful, unbiased and accurate discussion of the news, you aren't going to get it watching Beck, or Bill O'Reilly, or Sean Hannity. I suggest you make the effort to do some independent research and decide for yourself what the truth is, not just accept everything you see on Fox at face value.