Thread: Immigration reforms

Immigration reforms


Published: Monday, Dec. 21, 2009 12:08 a.m. MST
In 2009, all eyes were trained on the economy, the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and health care reform.

In the coming year, Congress needs to address matters that have been relegated to the back burner. Chief among them is illegal immigration.

House Democrats have introduced a bill sponsors say would be fair to taxpayers, enforceable and tough on enforcement. It also would create a permanent resident status for undocumented immigrants to allow them to eventually achieve citizenship if they pay a fine, learn English and pass criminal background checks.

The 700-page bill faces an uphill battle because of mid-term elections in 2010. Some members of Congress may be reluctant to take a stand on the issue of illegal immigration when they may already be vulnerable because of their votes on health care reform and economic recovery efforts.

But on the other hand, this issue isn't going away. Whether one views illegal immigration as a human rights issue, a matter of national security or both, Congress' inaction on this issue only makes things worse.

For myriad reasons, the nation cannot turn a blind eye to 12 million undocumented immigrants and the associated issues of a sizable class of people who have no legal status. Those who are criminals need to be dealt with swiftly. The vast majority of illegal immigrants are law-abiding and hard working. They want their children to have a better life. Because of fears about deportation, they are reluctant to call police when they are victims of crime. They do not participate in their children's schools as freely as school officials would like. They are afraid to contact government agencies when they believe they have been exploited. It is wrong to allow these conditions to persist.

It is also a problem when agencies that are supposed to police illegal immigrants or help provide labor to certain segments of the economy such as agriculture do not have the resources to do their jobs or the latitude to effectively carry out their responsibilities.

Yes, some members of Congress may be politically vulnerable in the November elections. More likely, the vast majority of incumbents who seek re-election will be successful.

Petty politics shouldn't be an excuse to — once again — put immigration reforms on ice.

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/7053 ... forms.html

They do not participate in their children's schools as freely as school officials would like.

This likely has more to do with cultural indifferences towards education then citizenship.

Yes, some members of Congress may be politically vulnerable in the November elections. More likely, the vast majority of incumbents who seek re-election will be successful.

Uh, not from what I've been hearing. This election year will like none other.