Undocumented workers in the state of Utah could soon be eligible to apply for a new guest worker program that was approved by state legislators on Friday night.
The ground-breaking proposal to deal with illegal workers, the first of its kind in the U.S., was green-lighted along with a number of other immigration measures, such as giving Utah police officers the right to investigate the legal status of a person arrested for a felony or serious misdemeanor.
The guest worker program will require a federal waiver in order to be enforceable, and if it is granted eligible immigrants will be able to apply for a permit that will give them permission to legally work and reside in Utah.
The law could have major ramifications for other states and for other undocumented communities, including the Irish.
Legislators in Utah went to great lengths to avoid the national controversy that engulfed the strident immigration law passed by Arizona last year, which among other things would allow police officers to question the status of those questioned for even minor offenses. That provision from Arizona is currently on hold pending a federal legal challenge.
While Utah representatives wanted to strengthen the state’s immigration enforcement provisions, particularly as they related to criminal aliens, compassion was also a key component of deliberations.
Should the federal government grant the guest worker waiver, Utah’s bill could become a prototype for other states grappling with the immigration issue – a hot-button topic that the federal government has been unable to deal with.
Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff says that the waiver should be granted because the federal government “has failed to take care of this issue and probably won't for at least a few years."
The bill has its detractors and supporters in Utah, and the debate will undoubtedly go national once the bill is signed by Governor Gary Herbert, who has indicated his support.
“Obviously as the chief cheerleader of the state, I care about image, I care about the perception people have about Utah,” Herbert said.
Legislators who oppose the guest worker provision of the bill feel that it will only encourage illegal immigration to the state.
“People think we’ll be seen as compassionate,” said Republican Representative Chris Herrod. “People will actually see us as weak. They will see we don’t care about the rule of law.”
Marty Carpenter, a spokesman for the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce, sees things differently.
“We were only comfortable with enforcement going along with a guest-worker program and creating an environment for all productive members of our society to participate fully,” he said.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.pablorod123 | Mar 09, 2011, 11:59 PM EST
Finally a guest workers program for illegals we needed that finally. I hope it will be recto-active for all countries. Using the right criteria.
pablorod123 | Mar 09, 2011, 09:54 PM EST
First of all this country was founded by illegals.Yes all illegals should pay tax's like all americans.That's why all utah illegals should get their work permit to pay tax's. Weed out the trouble makers.I'm an Immigration Attorney and I came in at five years old.Only my mom was legalized and both from Mexico.We all are wanting what we came here for better living and do something positive for our country. "Don't ask what our country can do for you but, what we can do for our Country."
howareya | Mar 09, 2011, 11:28 AM EST
Pancho! You say illegals are doing the work no Anglo would do??? Hmmm...I think there are many out of work Americans that would work in construction, or cabinet making or painting or landscaping or....... I agree there might not be many that would pick grapes or agricultural work..but that is what we could form another type of brazero (sp?) program. Bring in workers and when they are done...they go back. This is becomming bizzaro world! When my parents came to the U.S. they had to go through Ellis Island and have a health examination. They had to have an American sponsor that would guarantee they would support them and they wouldn't be a drain on the U.S. They did it legally....what about the poor Hispanics that are waiting to do it legally (if there are any left!). I certainly would feel a fool if I was Mexican and sitting there waiting for my Visa! People can't come here illegally and then start demanding rights!
Scrivner | Mar 07, 2011, 06:02 PM EST
Pancho, I will be lifting a glass to that great Hispanic hero, Bernardo O'Higgins! (for the rest of you, extra points if you can tell who he was)
maloney | Mar 06, 2011, 07:56 PM EST
irishcoffeekid,,you are wise beyond your years and 100% correct.
irishcoffeekid | Mar 06, 2011, 07:38 PM EST
I'm all for progress and sorting the illegal issue out but I will seriously object if this new plan gives illegals rights to become citizens faster than those of us who waited 5 years to get a green card and then waited another 5 years to apply to become a citizen and in doing so have paid our taxes, contributed to the economy, made donations and followed the law. It's taken me over 10 years to just be eligible to apply for my US citizenship so I will have issues if these "quick fixes" suddenly have illegals getting ahead of us in the line. They should have to have a documented record equally long of contributing to the US system before they are even remotely considered eligible for citizenship! I'm tired of those who break the law coming out on top of those of us who follow it!!
maloney | Mar 06, 2011, 07:09 PM EST
ellenocork..thank you for making all the Irish look stupid with your lame arse comment.
LinLinisme | Mar 06, 2011, 05:44 PM EST
NO don't do this, Why are you giving it all to them. This is America and it's for Americans, not undocument aliens. Illigal aliens should all be sent back to wherever they came from. Muslims should go somewhere also, don't care where, as long as not here
shaktinah | Mar 06, 2011, 05:40 PM EST
2BorNot2B - Are you seriously suggesting that just because someone is of Hispanic descent that means they're "illegal"? Since you claim to know U.S. history, who was living in what we now call the American Southwest, including California, before the U.S. took it over? I'll give you a hint: the states are named things like "California" and "Arizona." Doesn't sound very Anglo to me.
shaktinah | Mar 06, 2011, 05:33 PM EST
JoanKaren - At the time your Irish grandparents immigrated to the U.S. there were no laws requiring that they enter with visas. So of course they entered "legally" since there was no way to enter "illegally." It is unfair to compare immigration at that time to now, where our immigration system is so flawed that we require visas yet there is no reasonable way to attain them, making it darn near impossible to immigrate "legally" these days.
ellenfromcork | Mar 06, 2011, 04:59 PM EST
HA HA HA!!! It makes me laugh to see narrowbacks and their children complaining about illegal Hispanic immigrants. Take your complaints to McLean Ave in the Bronx. ( And if you don't know what I'm referring to, then you shouldn't be complaining.)
maloney | Mar 06, 2011, 04:03 PM EST
Sounds like the Mormons are going to bring in some more wife material.
JoanKaren | Mar 06, 2011, 03:08 PM EST
The illegals are winning. We are pandering to them, passing special laws to let them stay. Send then back and have then re-enter legally, as my Irish grandparents did.
2BorNot2B | Mar 06, 2011, 02:23 PM EST
Don't look now, but I think pancho4life is the very definition of 'an illegal.' From all appearences, he's a mexican who's climbed the virtual fence of cyberspace to intrude on an Irish blog and, as he puts it... feel important. --- Personally, I don't see he needs much to stoke his self inflated ego; after being unable to edit his own words for correct spelling he keeps flaunting his 'highly educated self'...by waving a certificate from Westwood High (that's what UCLA is called in more educated circles) as if it gave him an automatic anointing to become a public annoyance. -- Oh BTW pancho-pincho, this fact might have escaped your vast historic knowledge: Do you know how the name of the school you revere came about?-- After making his way into LA and walking in impenetrable smog for months, one illegal asks another: Hey bato, what happens when the smog leeeefts? His friend answers: That's eeesy cabron... U Cee LA!
Brolaur | Mar 06, 2011, 01:58 PM EST
Congratulations to the State Legislators. It makes complete sense. A little light of compassion in an otherwise uncaring world. What about Guantanimo? What about the Death penalty? I love the American people. They are kind generous and have a great sense of humour. They certainly don't get the Government they deserve.
seagreen | Mar 06, 2011, 01:46 PM EST
Don't wory about the US, it is already gone, and is not coming back. It will exist in some form or other... Man ! Are the Mormons in for a surprise ! They talk about propagation of the faith... The illegals will show them how it is done... In a couple of years, the Tabernacle Choir will be singing 'Yeaterday"
LinLinisme | Mar 06, 2011, 01:11 PM EST
Governor Gary Herbert ---Don't be Unamerica. Don't sign this bill. It's insanity. You are giving our country away.
LinLinisme | Mar 06, 2011, 01:09 PM EST
NO NO NO They are ILLEGALS what is your problem. Send them back. We have enough troubles in America without that. Utah you are crazy, Leave the Union and call your state. Undocumented Haven
pancho4life | Mar 06, 2011, 12:43 PM EST
Hispanics for me are spanish speaking people or have hispanic hertige
cillowen | Mar 06, 2011, 12:37 PM EST
The humamity of it all is heart warming. Plunderers of other lands should not be too surprized when they get it back - like pn into the wind.
GeorgeDillon | Mar 06, 2011, 12:24 PM EST
pancho: What's a Hispanic? Is someone from Spain a Hispanic? How about someone born in Argentina?
pancho4life | Mar 06, 2011, 12:09 PM EST
Look. Greenisgeen I am an american citizen and I went to school here all my life I also went to UCLA graduated with honors I'm pretty sure I know more US history then you do! Stop being racist already We now have an african american as president! Open your eyes! Hispanics are the largest minority! Wether u like it or not! My question to you is are you an indian american? If you aren't probably your ancesters came here to work and have a better life! Everyone is the same in one way! I also think that one day u have been served by a individual who was illegal at a restaurant without even noticing open your eyes sit down and think for a second we immigrants make this country keep going! But uneducated people won't understand!
Searlit | Mar 06, 2011, 12:04 PM EST
pancho4life, I understand your goal of wanting a better life, however your goal to be someone important, is an egotistical goal, therefore it generates a reaction from the egos of all the people who have lived here for generations. A person's self-worth comes from within, no amount of money, titles, or anything material can give you that, if you aren't aware of your connectedness to everyone else.
StokeyBob | Mar 06, 2011, 12:02 PM EST
I wish then all the luck but I'm afraid the deck is stacked against law, order, and freedom. When I started looking into where the money was coming from to buy off the politicians and subvert the immigration laws of the world, I came across what may be the root of many of our problems. Fiat Money. No matter how much real money people can put together to build their countries the way they want there are those that can print up what ever it takes to get their way. Maybe this will help make the danger of fiat money clear. Imagine you and me are setting across from each other. We create enough money to represent all of the world's wealth. Each one of us has one SUPER Dollar in front of him. You own half of everything and so do I. I'm the government though. I get bribed into creating a Central Bank. You're not doing what I want you to be doing so I print up myself eight more SUPER Dollars to manipulate you with. All of a sudden your SUPER Dollar only represents one tenth of the wealth of the world! That isn't the only thing though. You need to get busy and get to work because YOU'VE BEEN STIFFED with the bill for the money I PRINTED UP to get YOU TO DO what I WANTED. That to me represents what has been happening to the economy, and us, and why so many of our occupations just can't keep up with the fake money presses. We are going to have to regain control of our government before we can regain control of our currency. We are going to have to regain control of our currency before we can regain control of our country.
greenisgeen | Mar 06, 2011, 11:55 AM EST
You know pancho what part of illegal don't you get. As for your claim about american not doing certain jobs is crap. They would do them if our southern brothers left. And allowed the citizens to work. Your like a little slave force, you can never "live"here you can only slave here. My advice go down apply to be an american learn our history and receive the blessings this country can and will give you. Only then will you truely understand the meaning of earning.
pancho4life | Mar 06, 2011, 11:47 AM EST
once again it is illegal to go over the speed limit but you still do it! So you are also braking the law...
pancho4life | Mar 06, 2011, 11:46 AM EST
Do you think that if you were brought to this country at the age of 3 you would understand what illegal is? I think I more education then you do and you are just mad because we have a goal and our goal is to have a good life and become someone important!
jdi2269 | Mar 06, 2011, 11:33 AM EST
ILLEGAL IS ILLEGAL!
pancho4life | Mar 06, 2011, 10:53 AM EST
Its not about us taking the jobs its about seeing who is smarter to get the jobs! We do jobs that white americans won't do! Have you even seen an american washing toilets? I don't think so its very rare if you see a white person who ies doing that! If you want jobs go out and try to look for them illegals are not taking any jobs away! I really don't know why you are saying illegals are criminals when everyone has been a criminal before by going over the speed limit! Illegals come here to work and have a better life. One more thing if you really want a job go and try to pick up grapes in california and work like and illegal immigrant because those are the jobs that "illegals" take away from americans!
STUMPTOWN | Mar 06, 2011, 10:20 AM EST
U.S.A. FEDERAL LAW ALLOWS NO EMPLOYMENT OR RENTING TO ANY PERSON UNLAWFUL IN THE U.S.A. WHICH IS ABOVE ANY STATE LAW.
mlpowner | Mar 06, 2011, 09:46 AM EST
I wonder if the Obama administration plans on going to court to stop Utah from enacting this law like they did with the Arizona law - seems to me the issue of state jurisdiction is the same in either case.
GeorgeDillon | Mar 06, 2011, 09:30 AM EST
You'd need to be pretty desperate to go live in Utah.
seansarto | Mar 06, 2011, 08:35 AM EST
I think the Irish-American consensus needs to distance themselves from the "compassion" this law contrives for the sake of "image" over consequence.
tjohnson | Mar 06, 2011, 08:27 AM EST
This is great! Now the illegal aliens crossing from Mexico won't stay in Arizona, but instead will keep going to Utah. We also have 500,000 illegal aliens in Arizona we can send up to Utah. This will only make Utah a magnet for illegals, but that's fine if you want to end up looking like Mexico.
bob1611 | Mar 06, 2011, 08:22 AM EST
Great - Americans are out of work in record numbers and Utah wants to reward criminal trespassers with jobs.