The following is the text from a
full page ad the Salt Lake Chamber ran in the Deseret Morning News and The Salt
Lake Tribune the first weekend in June, 2007:
Finish
the Job! We've waited too
long. Pass
immigration reform now.
Dear Senator Bennett and Senator Hatch:
As Utah's largest and longest-serving business association, representing one in every three jobs in the state, the Salt Lake Chamber urges you to act and pass immigration reform this year.
We know immigration reform is a very tough and complicated issue. Differences of opinion can be found within both major political parties, within families, and among people of good will and deep commitment to our country.
This is why the Senate bill is a compromise—a mix of our nation’s best thinking on how to strengthen our national defense, keep our economy strong, and respect the rule of law.
Here is why Utah's business community supports the current compromise:
Border security – The bill significantly strengthens border security by doubling the border patrol, expanding the border fence, and helping law enforcement identify foreign nationals in our country.
Economic competitiveness – The bill allows American companies to hire the workers they need to compete in the global economy. We need to grant more visas to computer programmers, engineers, and scientists. We also need other skilled, semi-skilled, and entry-level workers to respond to Utah's growing labor shortage.
Rule of law – Let’s be honest, today's immigration system is broken. In fact, it couldn't be much worse. Those living illegally in our country live and work without penalty.
DOING NOTHING IS THE REAL AMNESTY. Under the compromise bill, employers are given better tools to verify immigrant status and illegal immigrants would be required to pay fines, pass background checks, and maintain a clean record to, stay in the U.S.
Senate Bill 1348 addresses all of these issues and more. The bill is
NOT perfect. But, like all grand compromises, it makes meaningful progress. We have waited long enough.
Let's finish the job and pass immigration reform this year.
