To Scott Jenkins, who wants to wait for the new president: No more waiting! We've been waiting for the federal government long enough to crack down on illegal immigration for years. They have done nothing except propose amnesty after amnesty. It's time that we as a state do what we can ourselves and hope that Congress catches up with us sooner or later.

To Frank Cordova, who sees this legislation as an "onslaught": Get over it! These people are here illegally, and should be treated as such. We are tired of paying for their health care as we watch our own insurance premiums skyrocket; we are tired of the drugs and crime illegal immigrants bring with them; we are tired of going to the grocery store and hearing nothing but Spanish. Enough is enough.

Many states have attempted laws on illegal aliens but illegal alien activist have been able to curtail these efforts saying it is not a state problem, well it is a state problem and every effort should continue and argument made. These illegals have no constitutional rights under our constitution. The fastest and easiest means the states have is to revoke and/or suspend the business license of any business employing them. Busines is the direction of enforcement for the states to take and it has built in and laws ready to enforce. Every business employing an illegal is profiteering from them for thousands of dollars a month for each illegal employed. Not in just lower wages, but in taxation and business taxes saved. How can a business be properly taxed on an employeee (an illegal) that doesn't exist? If they do get caught or questioned, they reidentify the employee and the gamut begins again. Thousand of dollars are involved per illegal and very worthwhile for a business to renew or obtain illegal documentation at street levl blackmarket prices for new identification for them. Go after the businesses, not the wasted efforts of new laws everyone is afraid to write.

They are always welcome to USA, just DO IT RIGHT!! They're sucking our economy dry because we had to use many of our expenses to prevent that from happening. If it never happens in the first place, then we would have used the money for something far more productive! What do you think?7

DEPORT ALL ILLEGAL ALIENS regardless of why they are here, or where they originated from.

Stop wasting time and tax dollars. Do it now!

DEPORT ALL ILLEGAL ALIENS!

USA is supposed to be the land of opportunity. That's why we need to stop being the land of the open pocketbook. I think if there was a halt on benefits for illegals, there would be a halt on the mexicans running for the border.

"Frank Cordova, director of the Utah Coalition of La Raza, says a lack of federal action is resulting in a confusing patchwork of legislation from state to state."

Does anyone here know what "La Raza" means? It means "The Race." Which race? Take a guess...

And COrdova isn't worried about the so-called "patchwork of legislation" from state to state. Different states have all sorts of different laws on all sorts of different issues. That's why we have different levels of government - so they can reflect local concerns.

And Cordova certainly isn't concerned that a handful of states have created "patchwork policies" on things like in-state tuition or driver's licenses for illegals, because if we followed the bulk of states on thpoe matters we wouldn't have them at all - but he supports those measures.

"We have (undocumented) students who for all intents and purposes have grown up here and consider themselves to be Americans."

Why is it that we talk about these ILLEGAL students as if it would be horrible not to let them get discounted tuitions here? They want an education, they can go back to the country of their LEGAL residence and get an education there, too. All of those countries have colleges.

And why is it we talk as if sending them back to the country of their LEGAL residence would somehow be damaging or harmful, as if it were practically child abuse? No one thinks its abusive to leave, say, Mexico and to come to the USA. Why is it somehow abusive way when they travel in the reverse direction?

The bottom line is that it's just plain stupid to encourage people to commit a criminal act. Why don't these people who argue for in-state tution for illegals also argue for fighting car theft by letting them keep them car and paying for the gas and insurance and maintenance? BECAUSE EVERYONE KNOWS THAT CAR THEFTS WOULD SOAR THROUGH THE ROOF.

It is time for the states to take action on illegal immigration. The burden on our schools, medical and justice systems is causing huge problems. We cannot afford to sit back and "wait" for the federal government to take action, it just won't happen. The border fence was authorized and funded years ago, but still has not been constructed. Enough waiting, it is time for action at the state level. No more "feel good" laws, enforce the existing laws NOW! Come to the USA the legal way, as others have to do, or stay home.

I'm sure most of you are right, let's deny our fellow Americans an education and leave them out on the street. With all these uneducated individuals living among us, the United States' level of intelligence is sure to look nice to the rest of the world. Undocumented or not, they are living here and helping the economy, regardless if your arrogance can recognize that. Seems to me that gangs are easily formed due to these circumstances, and not just hispanic gangs (unless you yourself are ignorant and you think all gangs have a hispanic root)

Please everyone go read an atlas and tell me which page says the United States is America. There's North, Central and South America. Which would make everyone living in these countries Americans.

"I'm sure most of you are right, let's deny our fellow Americans an education and leave them out on the street."

They are not my fellow Americans. They aren't out on the street, either.

"With all these uneducated individuals living among us, the United States' level of intelligence is sure to look nice to the rest of the world."

If uneducated people are a bad thing we should send illegal immigrants home. They are the most uneducated group of all. Illegal immigration has driven California's academic performance to the bottom of the nation. They used to be near the top.

"Undocumented or not, they are living here and helping the economy"

Sure, the GNP may grow, but does that growth benefit Americans citizens? Stagnating wages and declining quality of life say "No."

"Seems to me that gangs are easily formed due to these circumstances"

People join gangs in high school (or sooner) not when they're 20.

"Please everyone go read an atlas and tell me which page says the United States is America. There's North, Central and South America. Which would make everyone living in these countries Americans."

Whatever. Fine, then - illegals are not "United States of Americans."

Deny, deny, deny, ALL rights and benefits to illegal immigrants (mexicans) everywhere in OUR country!
They don't belong in our country. They know it, Americans know it and now it's time that our government knows it?

Their anchor babies ARE NOT Americans. They were raised as mexicans, speaking spanish, in a mexican culture and were taught to be illegal mexicans in someone else's country. They can go back to mexico to claim their rights.

Americans <everywhere> don't want them here. I think this is crystal clear by now?

If I hear one more comment about children of Illegal Immigrants being harmed because their parents are sent back to Mexico (or wherever they come from), I think blood will shoot from my ears.

Any responsible parent would take their children with them. There is no law saying they can't.

Let's hope something is done to rid the USA of these ILLEGAL people before the country goes under financially (and takes the rest of us with it).

The immigrants that are here illegally should be punished, it's simple, they are here illegally and are thus breaking the law; for those who think otherwise are asking too much.

However, how many Americans have asked, “Why?” Why would the illegal Mexican immigrants (we’re not talking about Canadians) be coming to our country? More importantly why are they leaving their country?

Imagine a burning building, you’re inside and there is only one exit. Unfortunately it leads to some private property that is not to be TRESPASSED! That’s Mexico and much of Central and South America in a nutshell.

Now as human beings, Utahns, and most importantly “United States Americans”, the focus should not be on blocking that exit, but on putting out the fire. Putting up a fence is not going to stop a burning determined MexiCAN, but helping them overcome a corrupt government and giving them the opportunity for life, liberty and the pursuit of (wealth)happiness sure would.

Stopping all the benefits they have here only extends the burning building to Canada. At which point the illegal Mexican immigrants will still be running through the US to get there. Stop and Think. Band-Aid or Stitches?

The illegals are coming from more than just Mexico. Are we to assume you (Utahn) would like the US or Utah to fix all (every nations)gov. problems? If these people are such hard working freedom loving people why are they committing such a HUGE percentage of the crimes here in Utah? It is because they are here for the free ride!
Stop the free ride and they will go home. Don't give them housing and food and medical and education and...
FYI Canada won't take them. They will be sent back IF they make it over that border. They don't like that border.

We are to assume that I believe that because the United States is the best country in the world we are obligated to live up to that standard. We are direct neighbors with Mexico and all of Central and South America, and we are being directly affected by their illegally immigrating to our country. Not only are the country who should have the most motivation to help them, but we are conveniently located in the best position on the globe to help them out as well. I'm certain that as Utahns, and US Citizens in this country that, YES, we are obligated to show why we are the greatest. If Utah or the United States as a whole doesn't take steps towards fixing it, then who will? Why should we wait another thirty years so our children and theirs can feel the effects of our inaction today? What I'm saying is that there is right and there is wrong. They are wrong (lawfully) for coming in illegally and we are wrong (morally) for ignoring their need for help.

Also, what is the actual huge percentage of crimes they are committing if you don't mind?

We don't need to argue about how we need to love and take care of the illegal aliens and their children among us. All we need to do is SHUT DOWN THE JOBS and without the state to enable them, they will simply return and live off the money that they have been sending home over the years. Most will live much better than those that stayed in their own country.

Stewart - are you sure you stand behind your statement - "SHUT DOWN THE JOBS". I don't stand behind breaking the law but I have to agree with Utahn. Think of where we would be today if we never let any immigrants in let alone "mexicans". If you want to shut down the jobs stewart then when your done with your cushy office job come clean the bathroom at mine that your deported mexican is cleaning today.

How can you expect someone to live for the rest of their life on 2 or 3 years of making 5.15 an hour? Especially due to the face that 90% of it is sent home every check so that a family can eat. Who is going to fill all of these jobs if we "SHUT THEM DOWN"? You are quick to say that but I am sure you don't want to come mow my lawn for 10 dollars. I also believe something has to be done to help improve Mexico and other Central American countries. If nothing changes there, nothing will change here.

Stewart if that is the course of action you feel is right, then I suggest you fight to get that done. Some people who were born in the United States think that we deserve more than any other people out there. That our problems come first because we are American. People who are born into third world countries are, for the most part, born into an unlucky situation and it is a situation that many of them can't get out of. You and I were born with a chance to succeed in this life and I am choosing to live my life trying to help those I believe are in need of it. Because, I know that if I had been unfortunate enough to be born into that situation, I'd be praying every night that somebody over in the great United States would be doing the same for me. So Yes, I still stand by my position that the best course of action is to cure the problem, not put a Band-Aid over it.

"What we wish would happen is states would support us in our effort to get Congress to pass some kind of immigration reform," he said. "These poor folks are getting clobbered as different states, different counties enforce different laws."

Ya know, there is already some "reform" on the books, it's called illegal immigration and deportation laws.
These are the facts: You come here illegally and suck up the resources of this country, you're going to get deported, one way or another.

I have a rule in my home: We don't do business with anyone or any business that is hiring illegals, period.
If everyone else stopped doing business with places that hire illegals, how long do you think they would stay in business?
How long do you think they would continue to hire illegals?

Guillermo Soto;it is not the United States,it is the United States of America,meaning that there are 50 states united as one country:That country being America . Look on any Mexican coin and you will see "Estados Undidos de Mexico;meaning that there are many states united as one nation and that nation being Mexico. Sorry Guillermo but your argument is invalid.

"Some people who were born in the United States think that we deserve more than any other people out there. That our problems come first because we are American. People who are born into third world countries are, for the most part, born into an unlucky situation and it is a situation that many of them can't get out of. You and I were born with a chance to succeed in this life and I am choosing to live my life trying to help those I believe are in need of it."

5 billion people on this planet live in countries poorer than Mexico. Which would you refuse to allow to come here on the grounds that "we have to help"?

You ever heard of a nation called Zimbabwe? It was once one of the richest nations in Africa. A few years ago the president for life, Robert Mugabe, decided to take all the land from the productive farmers and give it to his cronies. Net result: output fell, and millions of people are on the verge of starvation.

It's not resources people around the world lack - it's respect for law and order. That can't be given.

Carlos,

Not to be nitpicky, but I just looked at a few Mexican coins. They clearly say, "Estados Unidos Mexicanos". This translates to "Mexican United States". If they wanted to, they could surely add on "de America" meaning "of America", which as we all know is the area that Canada, the United States, and Mexico share (North America). So unfortunately, your argument is flawed.

Also, arguing about whether or not people on North, Central, and South America are Americans or not seems... unimportant. But they clearly are.

Wilkey I'm not quite sure that you read my earlier posts. I've clearly stated that illegal immigration is illegal and that illegal immigrants should be punished for it. I merely posed a more lasting solution of working to fix the problems of these lesser fortunate countries that are bringing us these illegal immigrants, such as Mexico. When half of a population are in poverty (Mexico, World Bank 2004), I would consider that to be a problem. While this clearly isn't as bad as your example of Zimbabwe, it still is a problem.

I agree with your argument that greed can destroy a country and lead to starvation, as has happened in Mexico. Seeing how this is a discussion on illegal immigration, I choose not to mention all of the other problems of the world. But yes they still do exist.

Perhaps you misunderstood what I meant by "help", that is that we should be helping to end the corruptness of their government so as to create a larger middle class so that there will be less of a desire to want to illegally immigrate here. I think that until that's fixed, most other proposed ideas will be unsuccessful and inhumane.

Daddy, is Chris Cannon going to win in Utah again , even though he supports unlimited illegal immigration to his state?

"Perhaps you misunderstood what I meant by "help", that is that we should be helping to end the corruptness of their government so as to create a larger middle class so that there will be less of a desire to want to illegally immigrate here. I think that until that's fixed, most other proposed ideas will be unsuccessful and inhumane."

The truth is that the government of the US has its hands full dealing with America's problems - our trade deficit, our budget deficit, our declining educational system, our soaring consumer debt, home foreclosures, etc. It's not that I don't care about the rest of the world, it's just that we could easily watch our country go down the drain while trying to do "the humane thing" for the rest of the world.

There is nothing at all inhumane about shutting down the shop on illegals by taking away their government benefits (driver's licenses, registrations, public education) and heavily fining businesses that employ them. Eventually they'll go home, and Mexico will have to reform itself rather than dumping its problems on us.

soto...illegals and large amounts of immigrants do not help this economy.
If you believe that you sir/maam are ignorant.
Im not gonna post study after study here but they are a net loss for communitys.

Honestly if you believe that then Mexico should be an economic powerhouse.

and to you people who claim we must help Mexico google the name Carlos Slim, maybe he should.

That's where we disagree then. I think that it is inhumane to cut off a human beings way of life, an innocent childs' education, and possibly causing other developmental problems for the child whose potential will never be realized. Also, taking those actions might cause them to go home, it might cause them to reform, and it might also create a great resentment towards the United States, who forced at least two generations to live a life in suffering (it might seem that way to them, because the United States usually gets blamed for other countries' problems), and finally it might cause us to gain an enemy from a former ally. However, I recognize that this is just my opinion and I'm not arguing that it's right.

America's economic problems are prevalent, and I think that spending our little resources that we have on legislation taking away these government benefits, building a giant wall across the southern border (as many have suggested), and spending for the never ending transportation of illegal immigrants back to their country, could be better spent on taking steps towards fixing their situation, and ultimately ours.

To Utahn,
I think your ideals are admirable.
However, I think that fixing what is wrong with the other governments is absurd. We don't have control of our own problems right now. I don't believe this country has the power you think it has over other nations. I have been to other countries, they don't really like the USA that includes Mexico.
Look at the problem we are having "controlling" the Middle East.I don't think the people or government of Mexico would appreciate the kind of "help" required to remove the problems they face. It may help if some, like you, go to Mexico and teach them how to change their own country. I would caution you to make sure it is OK with the local and national governments. Their economy is doing great right now. The money flowing from this counrty to theirs is staggering.

I'm very sad and surprised reading these messages and feeling that KKK principles are not dead. Thet are very alive.How ignorant and racists are!!!. They want to ignore all things USA did and does to other nations, in order to be the most powerful nation in the world ...If the economy goes down, don't get surprised.."the commadments are linked to prosperity... That is one the consecuences that God gives back to the corrupted and racist peolpe.

sadlady - You want to talk "KKK principles?" Do you want to discuss "racism?" Do some research on "La Raza" (The Race). I'm tired of you and your ilk throwing around words like "Racists" and KKK.
If our economy tanks, one of the single largest factors will be states going broke doling out welfare, housing allowances, food stamps, medical, maternity, "well baby" programs, WIC, free education,NAFTA, CAFTA etc. without any form of compensation or reimbursement by the federal government.

Bill, it's hopeless. So many Americans like SadLady, who probably have decent motivations for their views, do not understand that standing up against illegal immigration is literally the same as standing up to the elitists who want it, like Senator McCain, All the Democratic candidates, and Wall Streets unmitigated greed. As time goes by, Bill, Americans are going to understand a stark truth.

That truth is that Americans do not figure into the plans that the traitorous elites and their enablers have for this nation. They are used for the purpose of extracting taxes from, so the politicians can carry out their plans with those taxes. That is where their value ends.

I'm a naturalized American citizen of Hispanic descent. I came here legally and so did my family. It took years but it's been well worth it. If we could do it so can anyone else. I like most of you, say: enough already! We need to support and enforce the existing laws and do all we can to stop this criminal activity.
God bless America! Truly there's no other nation like it!