(Utah) State GOP delegates pass resolution to repeal guest worker program

[pampango]

Source: ABC4.com

In a close vote delegates to Utah's GOP Convention passed a non-binding resolution to appeal controversial House Bill 116. The bill which was signed by Governor Herbert in March is also known as the guest worker program.

HB 116 would allow illegal immigrants to work in the state if they submit to a criminal background check and pay a fine. It is scheduled to go into effect in July 2013, but could go into effect sooner, if the federal government allows it.

The bill is a hotly contested topic among Utah Republicans. Attorney General Mark Shurtleff spoke out in support of the guest worker program, calling it an identity theft weapon. "You need to know and understand that under HB 116, illegal immigrants pay fines, which generate money that goes to me and my criminal aliens task force, where we're arresting the worst of the worst," says Shurtleff.

Utah County Delegate Arturo Morales argued for repealing the guest worker program, stating that it promotes cheap immigrant labor for Utah businesses. "We the people can send a message to let them know in Utah we do business out in the open, and not in secret rooms with secret deals," says Morales.

Read more: http://www.abc4.com/content/news/state/story/State-GOP-delegates-pass-resolution-to-repeal/eyAoxIh5eEWx9m6vkSYoDw.cspx

[LetTimmySmoke]

1. I got a better idea.

How about we send a swat team into the mansions of CEOs of corporations that hire illegal immigrants on a large scale, charge them with hiring illegal immigrants, throw them in maximum security prison for 10 years, fine their entire net worth, and rescind any business or professional licenses they may have.

That would solve some of the problem. Then we could do the same thing to H-1B abusers.

[CarmanK]

2. NO, the companies would just hire CEOs to take their places!

It is a good idea to hold companies responsible for hiring illegal immigrants to prevent the erosion of jobs for american citizens. But, as is suggested a "Guest Worker" program is a really good idea. In MD, illegals can get a driver's license. We recently had a big hoopla about this. There was of course the argument that illegals should not be legitimized by being able to get driver's licenses. But, in reality, when we had a brief crime spree in one area of the state, it was the picture on a driver's license that led to the criminal and his conspirators. Me, I think driver's licenses are necessary to keep the roads safe. And in MD, we also have a mandatory insurance requirement which protects the innocent from stupid and careless drivers. So, if one gets a driver's license in MD, they must prove they have the necessary driving skills and the insurance to be on our roads. Next they have to prove residency with a phone bill, utility bill etc... We know where to find them. And if there is a guest worker program. The workers get ID cards that expire, and the companies get the needed labor and the companies cannot exploit and abuse workers for profit. It is pretty awful when people come here to work legally, they earn their minimum wages, then they pay the company rent ad buy food etc at the company stores. We as a nation are experiencing some of the worst of abuses of corporate power over a peoples over a nation. The profit seekers have no qualms lying, cheating and stealing from the american people. they weaken our nation and yet expect us to be grateful for the privilege of working a low paying job. Corporations are people according to the SCOTUS but have no people responsibilities or loyalties or accountabilities. Corporations savage an area or location to maximize profits and move on. EG in the city of Annapolis, MD-most of the Main St businesses that were listed on a 1947 roster are long gone. There are few generational businesses that survive. But most are gone. So, businesses move on while the CITY LIVES ON. The point is that people make the difference and people need to be part of an evolving society, embracing the future instead of hiding in the past. Looking forward from the past, we know what has occurred. Looking forward into the future is much more exciting. The Republicans are afraid of the future, they are myopic. their fear cannot lead this nation back wards any more. Stop the abuse of misguided bigotries and let freedom in.

[Hamlette]

4. Guest worker programs have nothing to do with driver's license. MD does not have a guest worker

program and guest worker programs and not a good thing as they create an underclass much worse than we have now. Not only with the guest workers be in low paying jobs, they can't vote, aren't eligible for federal assistance programs or social security or medicaid or madicare. They never make enough money to own a home and are easy to take advantage of.

Utah passed the guest worker plan (which will undoubtedly be declared illegal under the supremacy clause) so that utah employer could hire cheap labor without threat of prosecution for being in violation of the law.

Utah's dirty little secret is we have many illegals here because employer's hire them and take advantage of them. Until very recently there was a huge scam where construction and other types of companies made illegals limited partners. They had no ownership interest and the labor laws did not apply to them. No minimum wage, no workers comp, no taxes. There were literally thousands of companies that went to this model. When the state found out about it, we changed the rules (it was a state agency, not the right wing legislature, that made it illegal) that was when the legislature passed the guest worker program which looks a lot like the limited partnership scam that was going on.

The guest worker programs in Europe have been very problematic. Turks in Germany and Muslims in Paris for instance. We should not go that way.

That is not to say we should not issue driver's licenses and require insurance. Different animar.

[Populist_Prole]

5. I agree

The "guest worker" program is just the best of both worlds to the cons. Illegal immigrants are made legal, yet still exploitable.

[customerserviceguy]

3. So, when Arizona passes a "papers, please" law

they're interferring with Federal enforcement of immigration laws, but when Utah passes an "It's OK for you to be here illegally, just pay us a bribe," law, it's not the same interferrence?

[reACTIONary]

6. A Federal Guest Worker Program Would Help

to keep economic migrants from being exploited by bringing them under the protection of the law. With appropriate regulation of employers and enforcement their numbers and the nature of the work they do can be managed by the political process for the benefit of the American economy, including our own workers.

[pampango]

8. AFL-CIO, SEIU, UFCW agree as long as it is independently run.

http://www.seiu.org/2010/03/afl-cio-seiu-ufcw-urge-senate-leaders-to-move-comprehensive-immigration-reform-forward.php

"Both U.S. born and immigrant workers are badly served by our current broken immigration laws which allow employers to divide and exploit workers, are a drag on our nation's economy, and cause unnecessary suffering. We need to replace them with a system that levels the playing field as we fight for better wages and working conditions for all workers.

"...we feel strongly that it would be a mistake to enact any new employment-based visa program that does not adequately protect workers--both US and foreign-born--and that is not justified by filling established labor shortages. We have proposed the establishment of an independent research-based commission that can accurately assess the need for foreign workers on an ongoing basis as our economy fluctuates and develops, which will satisfy the legitimate needs of employers and at the same time protect the interests of American workers. We look forward to discussing this proposal with you in the days to come.

We are a nation that respects hard work, family and the pursuit of the American Dream. Our immigration system must hold true to these principles. This is an instance where upholding our principles is also good for the bottom line. It is estimated that comprehensive immigration reform would grow the economy by as much as $1.5 trillion. We believe that a just, fair and practical compromise is very much within reach if there is political leadership and if all sides are willing to agree on a framework that:

Preserves the rights of all workers,
Accurately matches the numbers and conditions of entry of newcomers to labor shortages in our economy with the flexibility necessary to meet the legitimate needs of employers, and
Is consistent with American values.

On behalf of America's workers, we request immediate congressional action and look forward to working with you as you perfect your framework and translate it into legislation. We stand ready to meet with business to discuss future flow and unified support for a comprehensive immigration bill and we ask business leaders to join us in this call. We urge Senators and Representatives of both parties to stand up to the divisive anti-immigrant bullies who seek to shout down sensible immigration solutions that are supported by the majority of the American people. Let's get this done right, and let's do it this year."

[InkAddict]

7. And this will fit in just fine in Utah, et al, huh?

Sorry different state, but nevertheless, discussed elsewhere on DU...

http://www.tradereform.org/2011/06/china-wants-to-construct-a-50-square-mile-self-sustaining-city-south-of-boise-idaho/

Very slowly, like a scalded frog pot, whose laws have juridiction in said "self-contained" cities full of very legal "immigrants." Do we just crank up the "fines" when things go badly?