Deseret News | Firms ordered to verify workers

Reader comments
Firms ordered to verify workers

Anonymous | 1:25 a.m. June 10, 2008

Now let's have the schools check the kids for the same info and we will be taking a huge step in the right direction.

Per pupil school funding in Utah would increase dramatically if we only were checking the legality of the students enrolling.

Wouldn't be that hard to do either.

Bob G | 4:23 a.m. June 10, 2008

So Governor Huntsman, you can disband and dismiss your study group trying to force illegal aliens in to the Utah economic disaster these illegals are causing. Put americans to work, not illegal alien mexicans. It would help the economy and the slumping tax collections from earnings and wages. It will help the Social Security system, the Medicare system, the Medicaid system if we had workers and employers paying the taxes into these programs that the americans are paying into. Keep the american wage dollars in america, not the foreign mexican banks. If Utah businessmen were forced to hire legal foreign national workers it would benefit america and Utah. This push to force americans out of work to employ illegals has no benefits, except to the business who are profiting millions of dollars a year by not paying their due taxes out of workers wages. Because a large employer can put out hundreds of dollars if not thousands per employee to buy illegal identities on the black market should tell you something about why Utah businessmen want to keep the illegals employed. It's not that americans don't want the jobs as businesmen claim, it's that illegals have a no tax benefit.

Ronald A. Young | 4:50 a.m. June 10, 2008

That good to control New Hires but what about the Millions already working who are not legal. All employers need to verify all workers and face heavy fines and even jail time for repeat offense plus loss of business, just like if you where caught with drugs in your business. Only in many ways this is even worse. There is no reason for illegalï¿½s to be working in this country. It is just that we do not have the will to control the situation. Try going to Mexico and working as an illegal and see how long you last. For example in the 60's when there was a Draft and lots of people where given the honor of serving their Country. All Males over 18 had to be Registered and Carry Draft Cards. The Draft Card had your name, address, phone number and Draft Status. Your Draft Status was determined by the Draft Board. You did not mess with a member of the Local Draft Boards Daughter. Deferments where not automatic if you went to School, if you where pacifist they drafted you and you did not have to carry a Gun if you didnï¿½t want to. You still went.

Comments continue below

Lee | 6:02 a.m. June 10, 2008

Anonymous is exactly right.But don't stop there.Check ID's when illegals sign up for benefits.Thier not entitled to them.And for those of you who say we are cold, how else do we stop the flow of them coming in?We are constantly told that to round them all up would be almost inpossible.When we enforce the laws that are already in place, we can be very effective in stopping illigals from coming in.

Carl | 6:12 a.m. June 10, 2008

This is long overdue. Now let's do it in the private sector.

Welcome to the homeland! | 6:19 a.m. June 10, 2008

YOUR PAPERZ PLEEZZZ!

re Anonymous | 1:25 a.m. | 6:21 a.m. June 10, 2008

Don't you ever get tired of pounding on the same issue?

Helga | 6:23 a.m. June 10, 2008

We finally going in the right direction.
I'm all about checking for legality.
Thank you Homeland securety.

Who Cares! | 6:25 a.m. June 10, 2008

Oh yeah, THAT's a GREAT idea - having the children of illegals roaming the streets during the day. That's just moving the cost from the schools to the police and society. We're going to pay one way or the other.

Think like someone looking for work - would YOU move to a place where you know you can't be hired? Hell no. If you want to stop illegals from working you MUST stop the people hiring them. No work, no illegals - simple economics. We don't have an immigration problem, we have a security problem - it's U.S. firms that knowingly hire illegals that perpetuate the immigration problem.

Charles | 6:34 a.m. June 10, 2008

We know the they are stalling this illegal immigration (Illegal) might be the election in Nov, you see, they want that vote you know what I mean. Texas, AZ, NM, CA. They do not care for the working folks, who is affected most by illegal immigration. Mitt said what he would do about illegal immigration and you see where it got him. They let the best man go. 12 million illegals using our energy up,Mexico should give free oil to us, we are helping them to get rid of their poor. the richest man in the world is living in Mwxico. They pick on the FLDS and do nothing about Mexican durgs,border fence etc. We are being guided by the wrong kind of folks, amen.

crusty | 7:02 a.m. June 10, 2008

Too little, too late.

Migra man | 7:04 a.m. June 10, 2008

Mano dura contra los ilegales. Keep it up until there's no place for them to hide.

Ironic | 7:25 a.m. June 10, 2008

It's funny that the article quotes Chris Cannon. He's received campaign money in the past from an immigration lawyer representing Agriprocessors. It makes you wonder what his REAL position is.

James | 7:32 a.m. June 10, 2008

Some of the comments show a lack of understanding about so many policies and economic principles.

In any case, while this is a good step you have to consider the implications. The one comment that denotes a little German fascism related to seeking everyone's papers.

Just last week a leading advocate of a North American integration noted that we need biometric ID cards for everyone. Your demand for a perfect system to stop illegal aliens will ultimately give us a National ID card. One leader within the Dept of Homeland Defense has refered to this future National ID as an internal passport. Is that what you really want? You are so passionate about this subject that you are willing to create an eastern european feel to America?

Really?

Frustrated! | 7:42 a.m. June 10, 2008

ILLEGAL!!!!!! I THINK I UNDERSTAND WHY. My husband has been going through the emigration process for about five months now. He is from ENGLAND NO LESS, OUR ALLIED COUNTRY.
He has filled out at least 25 forms. He has been finger printed. Photographed and we are now into it over $6000. This is all before he can get a green card to work here. Would he have been better off had he come via the mexican border?
I don't know the answer to this.
I am very disappointed in the system.

Bill | 7:43 a.m. June 10, 2008

I am all for checking at the workplace and our company has been doing it for the past eight years successfully. But most of you ignore a real reality that is not easy to wish away. With 3% unemployment in Utah, where are all the people who are unemployed because of illegal aliens taking their jobs - not many. Basically, anyone who wants to work in Utah can find a job.

The big issue if we deported all the illegal aliens is there are vast segments of our economy who can't find workers any where else. For example, fast food, landscaping, residential construction, menial labor jobs. How many Americans are linig up to go work at McDonalds when all the illegals are sent packing.

We have become spoiled and some of us will have to go back to minimum wage jobs if you guys have your way. I also venture to say that there will not be enough bodies to go around to fill all the needs.

Andrea | 8:08 a.m. June 10, 2008

why only the mexicans??
they are not the only ones coming to america ilegal...
they are the only ones that are not allowed to stay in america legally like cubans,haitans,etc.
how many other (not mexicans) do you see harvesting what we eat.any other nationality arrives here puts one foot on america soil and,BOOM;;;they get to stay get free homes free buisnesses free cars;;etc.
our america does not have any of they"re tax dollars unclaimed each year.
there is millions upon millions of dollars each year that our fedaral keeps from these MEXICANS that can not claim it at the end of the year.so MEXICANS have paid into the system

Anonymous | 8:15 a.m. June 10, 2008

To Frustrated:
I hear you, my husband and I are in the same situation as you guys, but he is not from England he is from Mexico. So your husband would not have been better off coming from Mex.

CJ | 8:40 a.m. June 10, 2008

"Lee" and "Anonymous" are right! But I want to go a step further. After we make sure that all the children of illegal immigrants are kicked out of our schools, even though they didn't make the choice to come here illegally, let's get them deported too! After all, we can't have thousands of elementary school aged children roaming the streets!

I have an idea, lets round them up and store them in the "temporary homes" we used for the Japanese in WW2. Then, after we've created a government police force big enough to deport all 15 million of them, let's put them in buses and take them back to where they came from!

I hope all of you xenophobes understand my sarcasm. Let's treat these people, ESPECIALLY the children, in a humane, respectful way. I agree that we need to secure the border. But let's allow those hardworking immigrants who are already here to have hope of one day becoming legal citizens!

to Bill | 8:44 a.m. June 10, 2008

I am one of those people who has been denied a job because 'hablo espanol un poquito' It's not just them I am also denied jobs because of my age - over 40. A job that I applied for and had an interview for with great feedback. the employer is still running an ad looking for help. I applied at the end of April. I have sent a follow up email to check on the status of my application and have received no answer. I am going to send my resume yet again today - it will be the third time I have applied with the company. The first time I applied was when I first moved here.

There are jobs out there, it is the employers not the employees who are being picky. If this wasn't the case then we would have 0.1% unemployment not 3%

It's a smoke screen! | 8:46 a.m. June 10, 2008

Do you folks honestly believe that this or the next Administration, seriously wants to control this issue; much less, the boarders? Bush SECRETLY established an alliance with Mexico and Canada a few years ago,their goal being to eliminate the northern and southern boarders, is to establish the Free Trade area of the Americas (FTAA), mirroring the European Union, and ultimately bring about a New World Order (NWO). This is not speculation - the evidence is now irrefutable. They have become very open and vocal about it. You just don't hear much about it in the mainstream media because they're part of the plan. This is still their goal and it is methodically being done in violation of our sovereignty and our Constitution. Bush senior publically talked of the NWO, as has McCCain in a few of his campaign specches (speaking of the inadequacies of the UN to bring it about).

All this is nothing but a show and a smoke screen, so they can methodically take away one liberty after another; the national I.D., being only one example. Imagine the control they will have over virtually every aspect of our lives.

Ut Co Voter | 9:28 a.m. June 10, 2008

Thank you Cong. Cannon for pushing on this issue. I appreciate your time and efforts.

Skyler Jackson | 9:32 a.m. June 10, 2008

Chris Cannon has done nothing to stop illegal immigration. So why is Chris Cannon being quoted? Oh yeah, his brother runs the Deseret News.

It's nice his brother gives him "air time" to pretend he'd do something.

Karen | 9:38 a.m. June 10, 2008

If you all get your wishes, you may be very surprised when the price of food goes even higher, and some items become unavailable, because there is not the labor to harvest it. Or, in the case of meat packing, there will be no one to do the jobs that once supported working class families and have been turned into hellish and unsafe factory lines. And I'm sure you'll all enjoy doing you own "landscape" work. Lots more, but you get the idea. These illegals are not taking jobs away from citizens. What's taking the jobs away is the "global economy" - translated: big business runs the world and is able to export U.S. jobs to third world countries where the wages are much lower and worker's right non-existent.

I'm not a proponent of letting everyone come here, though I suspect you might find that fewer people want to as our economy tanks. But bulding a wall has never kept people out for long: Great Wall of China, Berlin Wall, Maginot Line; look how those worked out. If this problem were approached from a thoughful stance rather than a hate-based blindness, we'd get a lot closer to a solution.

Now! | 9:54 a.m. June 10, 2008

Get them out of here!

Answer to Karen | 10:00 a.m. June 10, 2008

What do you think green cards are for?
If they come here leagal I don't think anybody would cmplain.

Anonymous | 10:06 a.m. June 10, 2008

ok people. seriously, if you want the illegals out of here so bad why dont you call INS yourself? you know where they work. Fast food places, call INS/ICE now the sooner you call the sooner they will get them out of here.

Re: Karen | 10:14 a.m. June 10, 2008

I think a lot of people (at least here in California) are starting to do tasks they used to hire out. Between gas prices and the illegal issues, we are finding out that we can do a lot of our own landscaping, etc.

Also, a few years ago California voted in a proposition to stop giving free education, etc., to children of illegals. It was tossed out when the illegals took the state to court.

Brittanicus | 10:19 a.m. June 10, 2008

(ICE) does not discriminate, and therefore if any person gets caught offering refuge to 'illegal aliens' NOT IMMIGRANTS. They will be arrested for aiding and abetting illegal foreign nationals. Nobody must be exempt from investigation including government contractors, or even employment agencies who employ laborers. Today! NOW! (ICE) is now being offered intelligence by the public-at-large. People are becoming 'informants' and using their inside knowledge to report suspicious activity regarding fraudulent Social Security Numbers and large numbers of individuals who cannot comprehend English was certain to draw attention.

Stewart | 11:04 a.m. June 10, 2008

It is about time. This program is fair and it works. Even with less than one percent computer error rate, the worker has 90 days to resolve the problem, with a personal investigator. If there are problems these issues need to be resolved for reasons other than illegal immigration, for example proper credit for SSN payments and ID theft.

However, I doubt that the Bush Administration enforcement of employment laws has anything to do with illegal immigration which Bush supports. It has to do with holding down the unemployment rate during the recession. Illegal aliens are not included in the unemployment rates, because they can not apply for unemployment compensation or help finding a job at Workforce Services. In addition illegal aliens holding jobs when there are plenty of legal workers available will only anger the voters during a very critical time. By late summer it could be a huge political problem.

The Utah Legislature refused this year to pass a law on this very same issue. Actually they did, but it may or may not go into effect until July 2009.

By the way Rep. Cannon has only learned to, "Talk the Talk," on this issue.

The English Language | 1:05 p.m. June 10, 2008

I believe the most frustrating part for all us who speak the English language, is going to a fast food place, place an order and not knowing if you're going to get the right order because the person taking the order doesn't speak our national language of English! That has got to be the most frustrating issue of every American. If you are here is our country, whether it be legally or illegally, learn the language it would really help us all out, especially when I order no tomatoes no onions on my hamburger, oh and how much do I owe you? You are in American not another country at least respect the country you are in.

MHP | 4:43 p.m. June 10, 2008

I have seen a similar program work in New Mexico, where each employer had to verify their workers were legal citizens, or legal alien's, by showing documents of citizenship, birth certificates, etc., and verified by a background check paid for by the employer. Not only did they eliminate illegal foreign workers from any country, but criminals and drug users also. The burden is on the employer who wants work where federal contracts are in place to see that their employees are legal, drug free and no criminal background. And they must also be subject to random checks by the employer to keep records up to date. These program could easily work in the private sector also, and if made law, those employers hiring illegals are heavily fined or put out of business.

wrz | 7:56 p.m. June 10, 2008

If we kicked illegals out of our workforce we would be well under the current 5.5% unemployed rate. Which means at least one recession datum would be positive.

Fred | 8:19 p.m. June 10, 2008

"I hope all of you xenophobes understand my sarcasm. Let's treat these people, ESPECIALLY the children, in a humane, respectful way."

The humane way would be to load them on the bus with their illegal parents and send them south. If they are Citizens by virtue of being born on this soil (so-called anchor babies), let them stay if they can find someone that will take them in.

"I agree that we need to secure the border."

Borders will never be secured. As soon as we get the fence up on the south border they will head for the gulf, or east coast, or west coast, or the northern border. The only way to stop illegal immigration is to cut off employment.

"But let's allow those hardworking immigrants who are already here to have hope of one day becoming legal citizens!"

They can become citizens by getting in line. There are millions who would like to come here. We can't take them all.

Watch YouTube's Immigration Gumballs for a startling and factual look at what we have ahead of us with uncontrolled immigration.

AZ | 8:41 p.m. June 10, 2008

We have the verification law on the books in Arizona. The newspaper reported a few weeks ago about all the workers packing up and heading back to Mexico. Specifically reported on one family who loaded up their F-250 and Suburban with their fridge, stove, washer, dryer, TVs and all their furniture and belongings to take back to Mexico with them. Businesses that have catered to immigrants are finding their customer base is drying up as the immigrants leave to seek "friendlier" places to live and work. The law has been upheld in court, although it is still being appealed, but if the goal is to shut down the jobs, it seems to be working. The Governor of Arizona is now talking about trying to set up a Guest Worker program between Arizona and Mexico since we can't seem to get the federal government to do anything. I'm glad to see Chertoff doing something!
By the way, federal law keeps us from kicking the kids out of school (not that I would do that- just earlier comments) just like it requires emergency rooms to treat everyone who walks through the doors. You can't punish the kids for choices of parents.

Ronald A. Young | 8:49 p.m. June 10, 2008

I do not think that it would be all that hard to round them all up and I by No means just mean the Mexicans and South Americans. I means the ones from Canada and Europe also. The problem is the Legal Process and the Auto Citizenship of people born in the United States which should not be. Duel Citizenship perhaps, Head of The Line when 18 if other wise qualified perhaps but just best because your mother was committing a crime by being here when you where born is know reason you should be a automatic citizen and your parents get a ride for breaking the law. I don't want to extend Medical Care to the Mother and her New Born, however I do not want to answer to God for not doing so. However when everything is Normal then Arrest, Detain, Deport, Mama and the little bundle of joy. Whit enough Diapers and Formula to get them started. I would say 6 week to 2 months max. The legal process has to be shorter and less complicated. If they are going to kill you for escaping your own country then you knew that when you left.

Wow | 10:55 p.m. June 10, 2008

Do The Brethren really need to remind everyone again what it means to be Christlike? Matthew 25:41-46. I can't wait for the replies to this. "But they are breaking the law." It is plainly and simply hate. Let's work for a solution, not stamp numbers on them and send them to the gas chambers. They pay taxes into fake socials, they pay taxes and almost always never get it back because they are too afraid to file a return with those fake numbers. Most of you have NO CLUE WHATSOEVER you are talking about. Most live here with their families, and aren't sending money back. Some do, but what about you? Don't you buy goods from all over the world, sending money to all sorts of economies? "Anchor babies should be sent back unless someone here will take them." They are citizens of the United States of America, how are you going to kick a citizen out of the country. Are there some problems that need to be worked out? Yes, absolutely, but to those that think all our problems are on their soldiers: The Nazis said the same of the Jews.

mel | 11:48 p.m. June 10, 2008

regardless THEY ARE HUMANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!WHETHER THEY ARE ILLEGAL OR NOT.

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