Wednesday, January 25, 2012

The Real Utah Compact:

Given the fact that the Utah Compact is being sold as a model for other states to mimic, a closer look at the document itself is warranted.  One goal of this "create a compact" operation seems to be to stir up support for an "America's Compact."  Absent such a nation-wide document, a secondary approach seems to be in play that consists of getting enough state compacts going to create a critical mass of pressure on Congress to pass "comprehensive immigration reform." 

Below, I have rewritten the Utah Compact in a different format to focus more clearly on its propositions.  The five "principles" it talks about seem more clearly understood as "areas to consider" and not as actual principles.  Certain principles are, however, outlined under each heading. 

The Utah Compact is a document which has been criticized for confusing the distinction between legal and illegal immigrants.  This blurring of distinction seems intentional.  For clarity, therefore, I have inserted "illegal immigrants" in those places in the text where warranted in order to make the distinction clear for the reader.  A few other alterations have been made for clarity as well, such as separating out some of the propositions into separate statements.

Prior to the rewrite, however, I have isolated those statements I have rewritten regarding illegal immigration from the text and listed them.  In this way, the meaning that the text seems to want us to understand, without explicitly saying so, is highlighted.   

The goal of the rewrite is to parody the Utah Compact for political discussion.  The motives of most of the signers of the Utah Compact are noble and reflect goodwill on their part.  I am not impugning their character or motives.  However, the motives of some involved in the process may not have been so noble.  It is hard to not conclude that creating a propaganda document to use in a new national amnesty campaign was one of the goals. 

Even though significant and convincing arguments could be made rebutting much of the Utah Compact (and many other principles and areas of consideration that should be included are not), the goal of the current article is merely to re-work the document for clarity.  I leave it to the reader to form his or her own conclusions about the motives and impacts on public policy that would flow from its limited set of concepts about illegal immigration.    

For comparison, the original text of the Utah Compact is available at:  http://utahcompact.com/

For a devastating critique of the Utah Compact, the series of articles by former Arizona State Senator Karen Johnson are recommended and available at:  http://newswithviews.com/Johnson/karenA.htm

The rewritten statements from the Utah Compact about illegal immigration:


THE UTAH COMPACT

A DECLARATION OF FIVE AREAS OF CONSIDERATION TO GUIDE UTAH'S ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION DISCUSSION

We urge state leaders to adopt reasonable policies addressing illegal immigrants in Utah.

Local law enforcement resources should focus on criminal activities by illegal immigrants.

Local law enforcement resources should not focus on civil violations of federal code by illegal immigrants.

We oppose policies that unnecessarily separate illegal immigrant families.

We champion policies that support illegal immigrant families and improve the health, education and well-being of all Utah children, including the children of illegal immigrants.

We acknowledge the economic role illegal immigrants play as workers and taxpayers.

Utah’s illegal immigration policies must reaffirm our global reputation as a welcoming and business-friendly state.

Illegal immigrants are integrated into communities across Utah.

We must adopt a humane approach to this reality about illegal immigration, reflecting our unique culture, history and spirit of inclusion.

The way we treat illegal immigrants will say more about us as a free society and less about our illegal immigrant neighbors.

Utah should always be a place that welcomes illegal immigrants of goodwill.

__________________________________________________________

The rewritten and reformatted Utah Compact:


THE UTAH COMPACT

A DECLARATION OF FIVE AREAS OF CONSIDERATION TO GUIDE UTAH'S ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION DISCUSSION


FEDERAL SOLUTIONS:

Immigration is a federal policy issue between the U.S. government and other countries. 

Immigration is not a policy issue between Utah and other countries.

We urge Utah’s congressional delegation, and others, to lead efforts to strengthen federal immigration laws.

We urge Utah’s congressional delegation, and others, to lead efforts to protect our national borders.

We urge state leaders to adopt reasonable policies addressing illegal immigrants in Utah.


LAW ENFORCEMENT:

We respect the rule of law.

We support law enforcement’s professional judgment and discretion.

Local law enforcement resources should focus on criminal activities by illegal immigrants.

Local law enforcement resources should not focus on civil violations of federal code by illegal immigrants.


FAMILIES:

Strong families are the foundation of successful communities.

We oppose policies that unnecessarily separate illegal immigrant families.

We champion policies that support illegal immigrant families and improve the health, education and well-being of all Utah children, including the children of illegal immigrants.


ECONOMY:

Utah is best served by a free-market philosophy that maximizes individual freedom and opportunity.

We acknowledge the economic role illegal immigrants play as workers and taxpayers.

Utah’s illegal immigration policies must reaffirm our global reputation as a welcoming and business-friendly state.


A FREE SOCIETY:

Illegal immigrants are integrated into communities across Utah.

We must adopt a humane approach to this reality about illegal immigration, reflecting our unique culture, history and spirit of inclusion.

The way we treat illegal immigrants will say more about us as a free society and less about our illegal immigrant neighbors.

Utah should always be a place that welcomes illegal immigrants of goodwill.

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