UTAH GOP on employer verification

The Utah Republican Party recently weighed in on the illegal alien issue by overwhelmingly passing a Resolution calling for Employment verification to support employment of Utah's legal residents at a recent State Central Committee meeting.

The GOP resolution supported a unanimously passed Utah House 'joint' resolution (HJR 25) which died on the Senate calendar at the time deadline closing the 2009 legislative session.

Resolution on Employment Verification

• WHEREAS, we the State Central Committee of the Utah Republican Party, are fully supportive of the employment of Utah's legal employees, and
• WHEREAS, we fully support the Republican National Committee Platform on immigration: "Our commitment to the rule of law means smarter enforcement at the workplace, against illegal workers and lawbreaking employers alike, along with those who practice identity theft and traffic in fraudulent documents. As long as jobs are available in the United States, economic incentives to enter illegally will persist. But we must empower employers so they can know with confidence that those they hire are permitted to work."
• WHEREAS, we support resolution HJR 25 which was passed unanimously by the Utah House on February 27, 2009,
• To wit:
• "Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
• WHEREAS, the economies of America and Utah are facing unprecedented challenges;
• WHEREAS, in December 2008, unemployment in Utah was 48% higher than in December 2007, and the rate is projected to increase significantly in the coming months;
• WHEREAS, Utah employers who violate federal employment laws by hiring persons who are unauthorized to work in the United States place an undue economic burden on Utah employers who attempt to hire only persons who are authorized to work in the United States;
• WHEREAS, certain Utah employers use unauthorized workers to create an unfair competitive advantage over competing employers by shifting their burden to taxpayers and citizens through the avoidance of payroll taxes, neglecting to withhold income taxes, failing to provide health insurance coverage, hiring employees using fraudulent documents and stolen identities, and ignoring workers' compensation insurance requirements;
• WHEREAS, thousands of authorized Utah workers are losing their jobs while unauthorized workers continue to be employed and to compete for jobs with Utah citizens and legal residents;
• WHEREAS, legal immigrants, who have made great sacrifices to follow the law, often suffer the most from these unauthorized workers and must wait longer to bring their family members to this country
• WHEREAS, unauthorized workers are more likely to suffer exploitation and unfair treatment by employers who pay substandard wages, fail to compensate overtime, fail to comply with recognized industry safety standards, and deny payment for work done;
• WHEREAS, 1,626 Utah companies were found to be paying salaries to individuals with Social Security numbers of Utah children under age 13; and
• WHEREAS, Utah employers have expressed their desire to have a legal workforce and their willingness to confirm worker status
• NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah urges employers in Utah to take all steps possible to verify the documentation of an employee's legal status to ensure that they preserve the jobs of American citizens and legal residents, protect Utah employers who comply with state and federal employment laws, control job-related identity theft, and ensure that the economy and taxpayers of Utah are not unduly burdened when unauthorized workers are employed and their status exploited.
• BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to each of Utah's Chambers of Commerce, the Utah Labor Commission, and the Utah Department of Workforce Services." (End HJR25)
• THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that this State Central Committee fully endorses this resolution,
• BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be also sent to all Republican members of the Utah Legislature, and Utah members of the US Congress.

2008 GOP National Platform - Immigration

It appears the 2008 GOP platform on illegal immigration has changed from 2004 (amnesty) - for the better!!! The GOP apparently may have listen to its grassroots constituents' inputs - Now, if only the elected officials would now heed those wishes.

"Immigration, National Security, and the Rule of Law" shows up on page 3 of the 67 page document" - 2008 excerpts:

"Immigration policy is a national security issue, for which we have one test: Does it serve the national interest?"

"Experience shows that enforcement of existing laws is effective in reducing and reversing illegal immigration. Our commitment to the rule of law means smarter enforcement at the workplace, against illegal workers and lawbreaking employers alike, along with those who practice identity theft and traffic in fraudulent documents. As long as jobs are available in the United States, economic incentives to enter illegally will persist."

"the denial of federal funds, for self described sanctuary cities,"

"It does not mean driver’s licenses for illegal aliens, nor does it mean that states should be allowed to flout the federal law barring them from giving in-state tuition rates to illegal aliens, nor does it mean that illegal aliens should receive social security benefits, or other public benefits, except as provided by federal law."

THIS was REMOVED from the 2004 platform: "President Bush has proposed a new temporary worker program that applies when no Americans can be found to fill the jobs. This new program would allow workers who currently hold jobs to come out of the shadows and to participate legally in America’’s economy. It would allow men and women who enter the program to apply for citizenship in the same manner as those who apply from outside the United States."

Regrettably, they failed to include anything on "anchor babies." Inclusion of a restriction on the interpretation of the 14 th amendment giving citizenship to those born within the geographic boundaries of the US was defeated in the platform committee.

Click here for Michelle Malkin's comments on this immigration platform plank.

Now we will have to keep Pres. McCain on the straight and narrow on the issue!!! There appears some differences with McCain past positions:
"The 2004 platform also reflected the position of Arizona Senator McCain, who co-sponsored legislation last year that would have overhauled the immigration system and offered an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants a path to citizenship while tightening the border with Mexico and creating a guest- worker program. He has since said the U.S. must secure its borders before changing the system."

RNC asking for Platform input

The only mention of illegal immigration I could in Platform Issues was under National Security - Secure Borders in the new RNC request.

The Republican National Committee is requesting input on the Party Platform:
"The Republican Party is seeking your input as we develop the policies and principles upon which we should stand for the next four years. On this website, you can share your thoughts, participate in polls, and communicate directly with the policymakers who will be shaping the party's agenda. All comments and feedback will be reviewed and taken into full consideration as we prepare for our convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul."

However "illegal immigration" search does come up with 88 hits. I briefly looked through the first 40 (the last 2-3 days) Virtual every one voiced the NO AMNESTY opinion (meaning "immigration reform" a.k.a. Sale of Citizenship to the lowest bidder)

In the last 30 minutes 8 more posts - most virtually identical. "I want the Republican Party to get serious about ending illegal immigration and reducing overall immigration numbers. I hope the GOP platform includes attrition through enforcement measures and an end to chain migration policies."

They may have underestimated their members distaste for amnesty - hopefully they'll listen and the platform will again reflect the opinion of the people. See articles below on Platform history.

GOP Illegal Immigration Platform Plank Proposal

This proposed plank was not considered at the Convention, as the meeting was adjourned (again) before resolutions or platform amendments were heard.

As the current Utah Republican Party Platform is silent on the incredible important, and currently prominent, issue of illegal immigration; the following is presented as a proposed addition to the Utah Republican Party Platform for consideration at the 2008 Utah Republican party Convention on May 10, 2008.

The proposal resulted from discussions with many staunch Republicans and borrowed gratefully from the Republican Party platform of the Great State of Texas, (and Iowa, CA, NV, NC, etc.) and the sentiments of Republican Party platforms since 1880. Please see the articles below for those planks.

PROPOSED PLANK TO THE UTAH REPUBLICAN PARTY PLATFORM

Immigration:

America is a stronger and better nation because of the hard work and entrepreneurial spirit of legal immigrants, and the Republican Party honors them. We believe that control of our borders is an urgent national security interest and our national sovereignty depends on those secure borders.

• We oppose illegal immigration and all forms of amnesty, or legal status, for illegal immigrants.
• We support suspending automatic U.S. citizenship to children born to illegal immigrant parents.
• We oppose granting government benefits to those illegally present in the US.
• We oppose any temporary or "guest" worker program that would offer an automatic path to citizenship.
• We believe that current laws against employing illegal immigrants should be vigorously enforced, particularly to stem the now too common crime of identity theft in obtaining employment.

This proposed platform addition was first on the agenda at the 2006 nominating convention, but not considered. It was again submitted for consideration at the 2007 Organizing Convention, but deemed out of place as platform consideration are made at Nominating Conventions.

This year the proposal was modified slightly at the suggestion of the State C&B Committee, acting as the Platform committee.

A Review of GOP Platforms on Illegal Immigration

TEXAS

Illegal Immigration –– The Party believes that security of our borders is an urgent national interest. The Party opposes illegal immigration and all forms of amnesty, or legal status for illegal immigrants irrespective of program name or race.
We support:
1. expeditious hearings on deporting non-violent illegal immigrants held in prisons or jails;
2. suspending automatic U.S. citizenship to children born to illegal immigrant parents;
3. elimination of federal funding to cities that have "sanctuary" laws prohibiting local police from identifying and reporting illegal immigrants to federal authorities;
4. empowering state and local law enforcement agencies with the authority, responsibility and resources needed to detain illegal immigrants within the course of their regular duties;
5. the rejection of non-verifiable foreign-issued cards, such as matricula consular as valid identification for official documentation purposes;
6. investigation and strict prosecution of agencies, businesses or persons involved in the production, distribution or acceptance of phony identification documents;
7. elimination of day labor work centers;
8. elimination of all laws requiring hospitals to give non-emergency medical care to illegal immigrants;
9. elimination of government funding to illegal immigrants for education, housing and business loans;
10. pass legislation which prevents China, Chinese citizens, and any other foreign country and/or its citizens from using the judicial system and courts of the United States to file and try lawsuits that grant entrance of the foreign people to the U.S. or become missing persons; and
11. strong document verification prior to the issuance of a Texas drivers license to anyone.

IOWA

• We believe that Congress should establish an immigration policy that furthers the cultural, social and economic interests of the United States. A sound immigration policy and vigorous enforcement of immigration law is essential to securing our homeland.
• We believe that current immigration laws should be enforced and strengthened.
• We believe that one of the government’’s primary roles is to maintain an adequate force to secure the borders of the United States
• We believe in a strong national defense.
• We oppose welfare, medical, and educational support and issuance of drivers licenses for illegal aliens and their dependents.
• We support and encourage the imposition of severe penalties on individuals and industries that are found employing illegal aliens.
• We support a physical barrier along the entire Mexican/American border.
• We oppose all forms of amnesty for illegal aliens in this country.
• We call for the government to devote increased resources to seal the borders against illegal goods and people entering the U.S.
• We call for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would prevent the automatic granting of (““anchor baby””) citizenship to children born in the United States whose parents are illegally in this country.
• We support modernizing the Department of Immigration's database systems.
• We believe the government should not reimburse families for the loss of a loved one due to an act of God, natural disaster, or terrorist attacks unless the individual was a member of the armed services or in the employ of the United States Government.
• We support the use of domestic surveillance to monitor contacts between foreign terrorists and their accomplices in the U.S. U.S. Immigration should end the “catch and release” system of deportation.
  We oppose any immigration reform that includes a ‘‘path to citizenship’’ for illegal aliens.

California
Our history is a story of immigrants. The California Republican Party welcomes and values each and every legal immigrant. We are proud that after 400 years, America continues to symbolize hope and promise to people from around the world. Immigrants have helped to make our great nation greater still.

• We affirm our country's absolute right to control its borders.
• We support legal immigration and the immigration laws that are already in place, and call on the government to enforce all laws on the issue. To take any other position would be a great unfairness to those who have complied with the legal system, and would expose California's citizens to national security risks. Once one enters the United States as a legal immigrant and desires to become a citizen, one should work actively to become an American - we should grant citizenship only to those who embrace American values and culture. New immigrants should be required to learn English, and businesses should be able to require employees to speak the English language while on the job.English should be the official language of government.
• All election ballots and other government documents should be printed in English only. Government should offer intensive English language instruction to all who need it, including stipends to help immigrants attend the programs.
• We call for the cross-deputization of state and county law enforcement personnel so that illegal aliens who are also criminals can be deported immediately upon completion of their sentences. We call on the Federal Government to reimburse California for the costs of federally mandated immigration programs and federally mandated benefits to illegal aliens.
• Finally, we call for the termination of all federal and state benefits to illegal aliens other than emergency medical care.

No Carolina

• We support the issuance of N. C. drivers licenses only to NC citizens and those legally authorized to be here.
• We support ending all entitlement to illegal aliens except for life threatening emergencies. Taxpayers should not pay for higher education for illegal aliens.
• The most important responsibility of the federal government is ““to provide a common defense”” for the states and the nation.
• Our borders must be made more secure. The federal government should actively enforce its immigration laws.
• English must be made the official language of the United States of America.

WASHINGTON

• A stronger policy of securing our borders using additional personnel, technology, and physical barriers.
• The reform of the immigration laws of our country so as to be enforceable and to meet our country’s citizens’ legitimate interests.
• The legal immigration of those individuals who wish to become US citizens with the strong enforcement of immigration laws.
• Enactment of a meaningful guest worker program which includes proper security measures, to allow those who wish to participate in our economy to do so in a legal and responsible way.
• Requiring any guest worker program to require the applicant for such program to initiate and process their application in their native land.
• An immigration policy that includes no amnesty for those persons who are here illegally already.
• The elimination of the “Safe City” program at any level of government that receives federal funds.
• The original intent of the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution (1868) which declared, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States…” and thereby recognized the citizenship of ex-slaves and in no way granted citizenship to the babies of illegal aliens.
• A pillar of American citizenship, which is equal treatment under the law; therefore no special rights or privileges should be granted to any illegal resident alien from any county that are not granted to a legal immigrant or to a citizen of the United States of America.

Nevada

• We welcome legal immigrants from all nations, cultures and races.
• We demand strict enforcement of all immigration laws by all levels of government.
• We demand that the federal government secure our borders. We oppose granting amnesty for illegal aliens.
• We do not support citizenship for children born in the United States to illegal aliens, illegal residents or foreign visitors.

Nebraska

• We support, welcome, and encourage the assimilation of all legal immigrants and others who are here by due process and are productive, law-abiding citizens. In fairness to them, we support stringent federal efforts to stem the tide of illegal immigration.

New Mexico
Immigration: We support and welcome all legal immigrants and others who are here by due process and are productive, law-abiding persons. Further, we support vigorous enforcement of all laws dealing with immigration.

Wyoming Supports any and all actions the State of Wyoming may take under its proper jurisdiction to address and prevent illegal immigration.

Oregon
We expect that the State and Federal government to strictly enforce all immigration laws.

The National GOP Platforms on Illegal Immigration

Republican Party Platform of 1984

"We affirm our country's absolute fight to control its borders. Those desiring to enter must comply with our immigration laws. Failure to do so not only is an offense to the American people but is fundamentally unjust to those in foreign lands patiently waiting for legal entry. We will preserve the principle of family reunification.With the estimates of the number of illegal aliens in the United States ranging as high as 12 million and better than one million more entering each year, we believe it is critical that responsible reforms of our immigration laws be made to enable us to regain control of our borders."

Republican Party Platform of 1940

"We favor the strict enforcement of all laws controlling the entry of aliens. The activities of undesirable aliens should be investigated and those who seek to change by force and violence the American form of government should be deported."

Republican Party Platform of 1932

"The restriction of immigration is a Republican policy. Our party formulated and enacted into law the quota system, which for the first time has made possible an adequate control of foreign immigration.

Rigid examination of applicants in foreign countries prevented the coming of criminals and other undesirable classes, while other provisions of the law have enabled the President to suspend immigration of foreign wage-earners who otherwise, directly or indirectly, would have increased unemployment among native-born and legally resident foreign-born wage-earners in this country. As a result, immigration is now less than at any time during the past one hundred years.
We favor the continuance and strict enforcement of our present laws upon this subject."

Republican Party Platform of 1912

"We pledge the Republican party to the enactment of appropriate laws to give relief from the constantly growing evil of induced or undesirable immigration, which is inimical to the progress and welfare of the people of the United States."

Republican Party Platform of 1900

"In the further interest of American workmen we favor a more effective restriction of the immigration of cheap labor from foreign lands,"

Republican Party Platform of 1880
"Since the authority to regulate immigration and intercourse between the United States and foreign nations rests with the Congress of the United States and the treaty-making power, the Republican party, regarding the unrestricted immigration of the Chinese as a matter of grave concernment under the exercise of both these powers, would limit and restrict that immigration by the enactment of such just, humane and reasonable laws and treaties as will produce that result."

Republican Party Platform of 2004
"The Republican Party supports reforming the immigration system to ensure that it is legal, safe, orderly and humane. It also supports measures to ensure that the immigration system is structured to address the needs of national security. America is a stronger and better nation because of the hard work and entrepreneurial spirit of immigrants, and the Republican Party honors them. A growing economy requires a growing number of workers, and President Bush has proposed a new temporary worker program that applies when no Americans can be found to fill the jobs. This new program would allow workers who currently hold jobs to come out of the shadows and to participate legally in America’’s economy. It would allow men and women who enter the program to apply for citizenship in the same manner as those who apply from outside the United States. There must be strong workplace enforcement with tough penalties against employees and employers who violate immigration laws. We oppose amnesty because it would have the effect of encouraging illegal immigration and would give an unfair advantage to those who have broken our laws.

To better ensure that immigrants enter the United States only through legal means that allow for verification of their identity, reconnaissance cameras, border patrol agents, and unmanned aerial flights have all been increased at the border. In addition, Border Patrol agents now have sweeping new powers to deport illegal aliens without having first to go through the cumbersome process of allowing the illegal alien to have a hearing before an immigration judge. We support these efforts to enforce the law while welcoming immigrants who enter America through legal avenues."

Illegal Alien Resolution Passed

At the GOP Convention, August 27, the resolution was passed with modifed clauses at the end, to wit:

"Therefore, we, the duly elected Delegates to the 2005 Utah Republican Party Convention hereby humbly request a Legislative Audit into the true cost to the Taxpayers of Utah of said presence of illegal aliens, including Education Costs, Medical Costs, Resident College Tuition Rates; Incarceration and Police Costs; Lowering of the General Wage Rate; Income Loss to Displaced Workers; Welfare Benefits and any, and all, other costs associated with this illegality.

Therefore, let it be resolved that we the Utah Republican Party requests that the Congress of the United States of America find reasonable and responsible solutions to these immigration issues.

We direct the Secretary of the Party to send a copy of this Resolution to all of the members of the Utah House and Senate, the Governor, and to our elected Republican Congressmen and Senators."

Proposed Resolution to GOP Convention

RESOLUTION

Whereas, the Utah Republican Party "support(s) the "Rule of Law" and believe(s) in upholding the law of the land." (Platform Preamble)

Whereas, the Law of the Land, the United States Constitution declares: "The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican form of Government, and shall protect each of them against invasion." (Article IV Section 4)

Whereas, there are laws in effect governing immigration into the United States and laws concerning the hiring of illegal aliens within this country; (INA: Section 274A "It is unlawful for a person or other entity to hire, or to recruit or refer for a fee, for employment in the United States an alien knowing the alien is an unauthorized alien.")

Whereas, it was shown in a Legislative Audit that at least 95,000 illegal aliens were issued Utah Drivers’ Licenses and Identification Cards and that many illegal aliens cast votes in recent elections; http://www.le.state.ut.us/audit/05_01ilr.pdf

Whereas, it is estimated there are between 65,000 (INS Feb 2003) and 200,000 illegal aliens currently residing within Utah State boundaries;

Whereas, each House of the Utah Legislature recently passed a Resolution opposing FTAA, which, if passed, would further encourage so-called "open" borders and further "immigration"; (HR 9, SR 1)

Therefore, we, the duly elected Delegates to the 2005 Utah Republican Party Convention hereby humbly request a Legislative Audit into the true cost to the Taxpayers of Utah of said presence of illegal aliens, including Education Costs, Medical Costs, Resident College Tuition Rates; Incarceration and Police Costs; Lowering of the General Wage Rate; Income Loss to Displaced Workers; Welfare Benefits and any, and all, other costs associated with this illegality.

Further, we call upon the Utah Legislature to pass laws to limit benefits provided to those illegally present within our borders, and provide penalties for both those who knowingly provide service to those in violation of immigration laws as well as those who receive services; and for the Governor to ensure that law enforcement vigorously aid in enforcing immigration law and for our Federal Representative to enact measures to Secure Our Borders and cause current Immigration laws and policies to be enforced.

Lastly, while recognizing the positive impact of legal immigrants to the United States, we encourage any, and all, of those people illegally residing in Utah to return to their country of origin and citizenship taking with them any lessons they have learned of neighborliness, freedom, respect for law, Free Enterprise and proper governmental principles and work to incorporate those principles into their respective countries, wishing them Godspeed in their journey, and welcome their legal return.

We direct the Secretary of the Party to send a copy of this Resolution to all of the members of the Utah House and Senate, the Governor, and to our elected Republican Congressmen and Senators.

Respectfully submitted and approved this 27th day of August 2005.

Cannon Spurns Debate Offer

Anti-illegal immigration group had hoped for Utahn-Coloradan match
By Deborah BulkeleyDeseret Morning News

Utahns will apparently have to wait for Congress to convene next month to hear a spirited debate on the volatile issue of immigration after U.S. Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah, turned down an offer to debate a fellow Republican on the matter later this month.

U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., is scheduled to visit Utah Aug. 24 and 25 to discuss immigration and border security at three public forums.

The local anti-illegal immigration group, Utahns For Immigration Reform and Enforcement, invited the Colorado congressman and had hoped one of his appearances would include a debate with Cannon.

The two congressmen are on opposite ends of the immigration spectrum — Cannon supports giving undocumented workers a way to earn legal status and is one of President Bush's point men on his comprehensive immigration proposal. Tancredo, on the other hand, is co-sponsoring legislation that would bolster border security, crack down on illegal immigrants and their employers as well as create a temporary guest worker plan without offering amnesty.

In response to the debate invitation, Cannon's chief of staff, Joe Hunter, said simply, "Congressman Cannon plans to spend the 24th at home working on his irrigation system. However, given Mr. Tancredo's recent interest in religious sites, we would suggest our visitor from Colorado might want to occupy his time touring Temple Square."

Hunter was referring to a remark Tancredo made last month that the United States could respond to a nuclear strike by Islamic terrorists by bombing Muslim holy sites.

Tancredo was traveling and could not be reached for comment Wednesday. He has since apologized for offending anyone with his remarks on Muslim holy sites.

UFIRE Chairman Mike Sizer said he believed that those attending the 3forum would probably like to hear from both sides. "It just appears, apparently, that Congressman Cannon feels that our borders, immigration, national security, is just a joke," said UFIRE Chairman Mike Sizer. "I don't think the citizens of Utah consider this to be a joke."