Thread: NE-Midlands Voices: Debate over immigration

Published Apr 24, 2011
Published Sunday April 24, 2011

Midlands Voices: Debate over immigration needs compassion, mercy
By The Rev. Howard Dotson

The writer, of Omaha, is faith community liaison for Equality Nebraska.

We need to reframe this current immigration debate so it is more grounded in compassion and mercy. Instead of using the term “illegals,â€

Published Apr 24, 2011
Published Sunday April 24, 2011

Midlands Voices: Any immigration policy must show respect for law
By Charlie Janssen

The writer, of Fremont, Neb., is a state senator representing District 15.

There has been a lot of talk recently about the Utah Compact and how it impacts illegal immigration. The Utah Compact is a set of ideas that were written down last year to be considered for future legislation in the area of immigration in Utah.

Religious officials, business leaders, politicians and even Hispanic activists from that state got together last fall and wrote this compact. State Sen. Brenda Council introduced a similar resolution this session in the Nebraska Legislature.

The Utah Compact lays out five different principles:

(1) Immigration is a federal policy between the U.S. government and other countries — not between Utah and other countries.

(2) Local law enforcement should focus on criminal activities, not civil violations of federal code.

(3) Opposition to policies that unnecessarily separate families.

(4) Acknowledgment of the economic role immigrants play as workers and taxpayers.

(5) Adopting a humane approach to the immigration situation.

Let’s take a look at each of these principles.

The first says, in essence, that immigration is a federal policy and that federal policy is “off-limitsâ€

Mayday - Did you see any place to post comments at the original source, OWH? Or do you know if comments not allowed on these "community voices" pieces?

I'm sorry...I re-posted this article already. I can tell what kind of a day it's going to be today...

You can write the Omaha World-Herald for a chance to have your letter published in their "Public Pulse" column at pulse@owh.com

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