This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Sen. Orrin Hatch's support for high-skilled immigrants with STEM skills (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) may be appropriate and proper.

And his attempt to improve the proposed Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act (S.744) is appreciated. In the spirit of supposed compromise, bipartisanship and comprehensive "reform," the bill would allow an additional 20 million new immigrants. But there are currently 20 million unemployed Americans.

The bill proposes legalization of 11 million unauthorized aliens who have broken various laws by living and working in this country. S.744 would also effectively grant amnesty to countless employers for their unlawful hiring, aiding and abetting these unauthorized aliens.

Hatch recently told KUTV-Ch. 2, "This country has always been open to immigrants, but we do need people to obey our laws." But the 1986 amnesty law proved exactly the opposite; ignoring enforcement promotes more violations.

This "comprehensive" reform will cost $6 trillion, and it doesn't even address birthright citizenship where children born in the United States to parents who are not U.S. citizens automatically become citizens.

In the Judiciary Committee, Hatch voted for the bill, but he was unsure about further support.

Please, Sen. Hatch, vote against S.744.

Robert Wren

Heber