This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
It is time to look at the United States' immigration system as a whole.
Only a few years ago, there was widespread agreement in Congress that our immigration system is broken, and a commitment to find lasting solutions for immigrants, their families and the American communities that benefit from their contributions.
Every person should be treated with dignity and respect, and able to live to their fullest potential.
As is, our immigration system is perpetuating injustices. We are deporting family members, detaining loved ones despite alternatives and exploiting workers.
I urge my senators to make a public statement committing themselves to compassionate, bipartisan immigration reform in early 2017 that provides long-term relief for communities caught in a broken system.
Carolin Cady
Salt Lake City