This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
At the upcoming Republican state convention, delegates will vote on repealing House Bill 116, Utah's amnesty bill. The money interests that rushed this bill through the Legislature and convinced the governor to sign it are now lobbying delegates to vote against repeal ("Supporters of Utah guest-worker law launch campaign," Tribune, June 7).
The reason for such a strong push is that the bill is seen as key in the upcoming national campaign to, yet again, push for a national amnesty.
Many illegal aliens are decent, hard-working people. Individually, they are not the problem.
However, for the monied powers, it is all about money. The money to be made from illegals is a big draw for certain businesses. This money-lust sits on a foundation of corruption and shortsightedness, as these employers undercut competitors, suppress wages, avoid taxes, forgo benefits, take advantage of a captive workforce, push out American and legal immigrant labor, create tax burdens and elevate other societal costs, such as health care.
HB116 does little to end the illegal-labor money train for employers selling out their countrymen for a quick buck. In fact, it encourages illegal entry with the promise of legitimization through false documentation. HB116 deserves to be rejected.
Darrell Robbins
Magna