Thread: 'Utah Compact' urges guidelines for immigration discussion

SALT LAKE CITY -- An historic signing took place Thursday at the State Capitol courtyard on immigration reform.

Representatives from corporations and businesses, state and city governments, community organizations and faiths stepped forward to lend support to what's titled "The Utah Compact." They've been working for several months to draft a statement to influence the tone of the discussion on the immigration issue.

Former Gov. Olene Walker has given her experience and insight to the project and is pleased with the broad-based group.

"People from all different walks of life have come together to say, 'We're concerned about this issue, we think that we need guidelines,'" Walker said. "It's a compact of guidelines and principles that we can agree on."

The five principles begin with the idea of federal solutions to the problem.

"We urge Utah's congressional delegation and others to lead efforts to strengthen federal laws and protect our international borders," said Walker. "We urge state leaders to adopt reasonable policies addressing immigration in Utah."

Bishop John Wester, leader of the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City and head of the Catholic Bishops of the United States Immigration Committee, has been a long-time supporter of reform.

"I'm hoping that we can speak loudly and clearly that we do not want oppressive and Draconian legislation," he said. "We do not want our state to take the place of the federal government."

Mark Willes, Deseret Media Corporation president and CEO, whose editorial on immigration has come forward as part of the Utah Compact says he is encouraged by the participation. The other four parts of the Compact include concerns for law enforcement agencies, families, the economy and our free society.

"They're going to sign it because they care of Utah and they care about people," said Willes. "They want to make sure that whatever we do reflects the complexities of the problem and the very real human dimensions to the challenges that we have."

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released a statement in support of the Utah Compact Thursday, saying, "The Church regards the declaration of the Utah Compact as a responsible approach to the urgent challenge of immigration reform. It is consistent with important principles for which we stand."

To read the Church's full statement [CLICK HERE]. http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=13237741&pid=1

Utah's Attorney General Mark Shurtleff believes the compact could help defeat Rep. Stephen Sandstrom's proposed immigration bill.

"Republican legislators need to see that there is huge support in this state for doing something different than an enforcement only bill," he said.

Shurtleff says legislation that just rounds up illegal immigrants and ships them out is not going to work. He also says any immigration legislation passed in Utah should be constitutional.

Proyecto Latino de Utah director Tony Yapias was not asked to sign the compact, but he is OK with that. "I can say ‘thank you' to them for being brave enough to do this, because it is important," he said.
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=13237741

Originally Posted by CindyB

SALT LAKE CITY -- An historic signing took place Thursday at the State Capitol courtyard on immigration reform.

Representatives from corporations and businesses, state and city governments, community organizations and faiths stepped forward to lend support to what's titled "The Utah Compact." They've been working for several months to draft a statement to influence the tone of the discussion on the immigration issue.

Yeah, the SAME people who benefit from illegal immigration whether by hiring them or converting them. This is just a "give them a green card " stuff disguised as immigration reform bull as well. The economy in Utah sucks, these employers can't afford to, or don't want to hire citizens - some of these employers are HUGE corporations - and churches always want more donations and tithing money.

The Utah Compact is nothing but the same old amnesty plea with a new title. I could be wrong but in my personal opinion, it looks like KSL has stopped its comment board, in part, so that the typical public outrage against pandering to illegal immigration cannot influence others.

They can publish their pro illegal immigration reform articles while ignoring public opinion on the issue. Very democratic, isn't it?

Because they know the Mormon Church is pro-families, as are other churches, they're just using the "families" concept as a trap so that if the LDS Church doesn't support the bill, they might entrap it by saying that's it's NOT pro families...Now they claim support from the very businesses that benefit from illegal immigrants. Anyone with a brain can clearly see how sneaky these manipulators are.

See the veiled manipulation for yourself: http://utahcompact.com

They're setting the stage to put the Mormon Church and others against the wall by saying: You guys claim to be pro-families so how come you want families deported? Look at all the supporters we have! They're also implying that law enforcement should not focus on illegal immigrants because their violation is deemed to be a trespass and no big deal. In other words, leave them alone.

Manipulative.

Utah shouldn't allow things to turn out like what happened in Arizona.
If we let pro illegal advocates manipulate the system, they will win. They do it in Mexico and they do it here because they think they can dance around our laws and system and get away with it and we let them! That says a lot about us too and that's a shame.

If they succeed in Utah, they will advance the same agenda to YOUR state and claim discrimination against families if their proposal isn't accepted. Can you see the writing on the wall with what they're doing? People should get on the bandwagon, even from other states and counter this Compact proposal before it advances to a point of no return.

The LDS Church's largest membership body is in Mexico. If these manipulators don't get the Mormon church's blessing for their intentions, who knows what other manipulative methods they may use?

They're bound and determined to get their amnesty or green card at any cost knowing very well that those in power are not committed to stopping them at any cost.

If you go against their agenda, you will be deemed a bigot, racists, anti-immigrant and a hypocrite for not wanting to keep families together. That's the tactic they're using against churches and the public because, for whatever reason, many in power are not strong enough to say "NO, you're NOT going to get away with this..." Pro illegal immigration advocates keep pushing until they conquer and conquer they will if their determination is greater than ours.

Look how many have already fallen into the trap thinking that this proposal is a good thing when in reality it's all pro "illegal" immigrants.

http://utahcompact.com/sign-the-compact ... ubmissions

It looks like a PETITION in disguise which they will use to their advantage!

There is more, look at this roster:

http://utahcompact.com/sign-the-compact ... ?start=100