Utah's Undocumented Immigrants Lacked Voice in Congressional
Utah's Undocumented Immigrants Lacked Voice in Congressional Debate
Jul 03, 2007 by Julie Rose
(KCPW News) Opponents of an immigration reform proposal jammed the phone lines of Congress last week in the final hours of a crucial vote that ultimately stalled the measure. Local activist Alex Segura was among the callers, and he credits conservative radio and cable TV hosts with mobilizing opposition to the measure.
It would have tightened border security, cracked down on employers hiring undocumented workers and provided a path to citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants. But Segura and many opponents say it was unacceptable because it offered amnesty for undocumented people currently in the U.S.
Tony Yapias of the Utah Latino Project says the voice of undocumented workers was missing in the debate. He urged many illegal immigrants in Utah to have their friends, church members and employers call Congress in their support. But Yapias laments the Latino community was unable to rally enough support for the immigration bill.
Senate leaders now suggest it will be difficult to revive the topic again until after the 2008 election.
In the meantime, Segura and his supporters are turning their attention to Utah law, hoping to abolish the driving privilege card and in-state tuition benefits for undocumented immigrants.
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