Thread: Conservative group says Utah, not feds, should solve immigra

Conservative group says Utah, not feds, should solve immigration problems
By Jennifer W. Sanchez
Article Last Updated:05/05/2008 08:18:52 PM MDT

Posted: 8:20 PM- The Sutherland Institute, a Utah-based conservative think tank, wants the state to request a federal waiver to allow it to fix its illegal immigration problems.
Under the waiver, Utah lawmakers could propose legislation to address the immigration issues affecting the Beehive State. For example, Utah could create an in-state work permit for undocumented immigrants living here.
These and other ideas are discussed in the institute's essay, "Onus or Opportunity? Conservatism and Illegal Immigration in Utah," that was released today to coincide with Cinco de Mayo.
Paul Mero, the institute's president who wrote the 21-page essay, said the federal government has enforced a system that allows millions of undocumented immigrants to freely roam the country, but they're not fixing the problems it has created nationwide.
"What happens at the border is the federal government's business, and what happens here in Utah is our problem," he said in an interview today. "We deserve the right to solve our community problems our way."
In some ways, Mero said, Utah is already passing laws, such as in-state tuition for undocumented students and allowing undocumented immigrants to get a card to drive, that is helping to resolve the dilemma.
However, Mero said the state shouldn't get in the game of enforcing the law, such as rounding up undocumented immigrants and deporting them.
"We don't want to live in that kind of society," he said. "We want to live in a place that is uplifting and enriching the lives of people."
An estimated 100,000 undocumented immigrants live in Utah.
Several community leaders said they would support some of the institute's ideas outlined in the essay.
Senate President John Valentine, R-Orem, said he questions whether it is constitutional for a state to be granted a federal waiver.
Still, he said, most Utahns might be supportive of a in-state worker permit because it would allow undocumented workers to comply with the "rule of law," pay proper taxes and be accounted for.
Lane Beattie, CEO and president of the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce, agreed. He said the essay brings some "moderate and common sense" ideas to a difficult and emotional issue.
Beattie said he has already had conversations with congressional representatives about Utah getting a federal waiver, and the chamber is working on an official presentation.

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_9163325?source=rss

"Conservative group"

Looks like the pc crowd is trying to hijack another word!

In some ways, Mero said, Utah is already passing laws, such as in-state tuition for undocumented students and allowing undocumented immigrants to get a card to drive, that is helping to resolve the dilemma.

Why aren't the good folks of Utah fighting this? Don't they know that such laws will only encourage more illegal aliens to head for their fair state?

This is becoming a trend across this country and has to stop...each state can not legalize these people or take a guest worker program on, we have lost control already with the government visa's, worker programs etc...NO and there is no such thing as a waiver like this...forget it!

Originally Posted by MW

In some ways, Mero said, Utah is already passing laws, such as in-state tuition for undocumented students and allowing undocumented immigrants to get a card to drive, that is helping to resolve the dilemma.

Why aren't the good folks of Utah fighting this? Don't they know that such laws will only encourage more illegal aliens to head for their fair state?

The problem is the people of Utah are not paying attention! they are living in LA LA Land !!