Attorney general's comments come at reopening of law firm that helps immigrants

The Salt Lake Tribune
July 28, 2009
By Jeremiah Stettler The Salt Lake Tribune

Standing outside a hacienda-style law office in Salt Lake City, Attorney General Mark Shurtleff praised a congressional proposal that would beef up border security yet provide legal status to millions in the country illegally.

"This is a glorious day," he said Saturday. "Congress appears ready to cross these divides and come together to try to work out a comprehensive immigration-reform act."

His comments - interspersed with Spanish - came as the Alcala Law Firm announced the grand reopening of its Salt Lake City practice, which specializes in immigration law.

With black-sombreroed singers and Latino cuisine, the law firm celebrated Saturday at its rennovated location near 1300 West along Indiana Avenue. The decor was distinctly Latino, featuring an interior courtyard with a fountain, broad wooden double doors and a stone image of Mexican revolutionary Emiliano Zapata above the gate.

Shurtleff lauded the operation, then spoke nationally of what he characterized as a "new day" for immigration reform.

Democratic and Republican senators, with the backing of President Bush, have crafted a bipartisan immigration bill that promises tougher border security and workplace enforcement, but also a path for undocumented workers to obtain permanent residency.

Some conservatives have condemned the measure, branding it as an unacceptable "amnesty." Some liberals, on the other hand, oppose the terms it would impose on immigrant workers.

Shurtleff conceded that the plan isn't perfect, but says it represents a step toward a fair, comprehensive and compassionate immigration policy.

Meanwhile, attorney James Hector Alcala is working at the grass roots, assisting Utah's Latino community obtain green cards, apply for work visas, petition for family members and fight deportation.

He described his plight as personal - his parents entered the country illegally.

"The purpose of this firm from the very beginning was to help immigrants, like my parents, like myself, to obtain the documents needed to live here in America."

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