Examining immigration

Utah's Evolving Political Beliefs

By: Carla Swensen-Haslam

Utah is experiencing a dramatic change in it's state politics, and leaders are calling it a “call to moderate.”

No Democrat has taken the governor's seat in Utah for over two decades, giving the state its red reputation. But the recent election of President Donald Trump is changing the playing field for GOP front-runners and candidates. While there has been little change in party affiliation, platforms and views are beginning to stray from the campaigns and ideas of the Trump administration, according to House Representative Norman Thurston, R-Provo.

“While it is common for states to disagree with federal laws, there has been an unusual amount of discontent and disagreement within the Republican party over Trump's executive orders and platforms,” said Lt. Governor, Spencer Cox in a recent press conference.

The change that voters want to see is being made manifest by changes within the Republican party, some calling for a more moderate reform, and others flat-out opposing the efforts of the Trump administration. One of Utah's most outspoken includes Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox. Cox criticized the Trump administration's platforms on illegal immigrants and refugees in an interview with the Salt Lake Tribune, saying, “Trump represents the worst of what our great country stands for.”

Not only are those in office expressing discontent with the Trump administration's actions on immigration and refugees, but voters are finding favor with those running. Former Provo Mayor, John Curtis, was sworn in as a member of the 115th congress earlier this month. The Republican candidate takes a far more moderate stance on immigration than President Trump, conveying a strong desire to hold to the values listed in the Utah Compact, a document declaring the state's family values and immigration discussion.

Finally, the third party movement in Utah is also growing. Utah's political scene went into an uproar after former U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz, now filled by Rep. John Curtis, announced his resignation in the summer of 2017. Not too long after this announcement, the United Utah Party gathered for its annual convention—but with striking numbers. Over half of the United Utah registered voters in the county showed up to discuss filling Chaffetz's seat. Jim Bennett, the Utah United party's candidate explained to the Deseret News in October 2017 that the party comes from the mainstream of Utah politics. He explained that the United Utah is growing quickly after President Donald Trump's election, “former Republicans and Democrats are joining the ranks because they are tired of the extremism of the two major parties.”

Examining the Utah Compact

By: Carla Swensen-Haslam

In 2011, representatives from local business, religions, and state and city governments signed an influential document, affirming Utah's values concerning immigration. The document came to be known as the Utah Compact, and has since been acclaimed as a model initiative from other states and Washington D.C. Seen as an alternative to the Arizona approach of dealing with undocumented immigrants, local leaders said the Utah compact was said to be the “blueprint” for national reform

What does the Compact say?

The compact declares five principles that the state deems as the “guide to Utah's immigration discussion.” The compact, though relatively short, introduces immigration by explaining that it is a federal issue, not a state policy.

“Immigration is a federal policy issue between the U.S. Government and countries, not between Utah and countries,” said former Governor Olene Walker at the event. Political leaders urged federal departments and politicians to provide solutions to the immigration debate.

The Compact also examines law enforcement. This came in response to Arizona announcing that law enforcement could pull-over or ask for documents from anyone at random. These laws came under scrutiny, with many Utah leaders saying it encouraged racial profiling. The Compact on the other hand expresses the need for law enforcement to focus on “criminal activity rather than violations of federal civil code.”

The third principle is what Representative Norm Thurston, R-Provo, calls the “compassionate” clause, stating that Utah does not believe in separating families.

“The core of the compromise is values. That as a people we believe in keeping families together. We have a concept of being compassionate and understanding that people have made choices and mistakes, but they and their families still deserve compassion,” said Thurston.

The last two principles take far more political perspectives. The Compact examines the economy, recognizing the role of immigrants in stimulating economic growth. It advocates for free markets to increase opportunity for those moving to Utah. On a similar breath, the Compact recolonizes that as members of the economy, immigrants are also members of society, and therefore encourages citizens to find a “human approach to this reality, reflecting on our unique culture, history, and spirit of inclusion.”

Response

The Compact received national attention from media and politicians, and received support from leaders from all fields of business and political parties.

Days after its signing, The New York Times expressed support for the statement, calling it a piece “from good sense and good will.” Similar statements came out of leaders in Washington, such as former Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff, who claimed that federal leaders are going to use the compact as the “blueprint” for a national version discussing immigration.

While the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints did not have a representative sign the Compact, the church did release a statement in support, saying, “The church regards the declaration of the Utah Compact as a responsible approach to the urgent challenge of immigration reform. It is consistent with important principles for which we stand.”

Other religious groups like the Catholic Dioceses of Salt Lake City chimed in their support. Bishop John Wester has been a long time reformer as a member of the United States Immigration Committee. He is hopeful the piece influences other states and government leaders.

“I'm hoping that we can speak loudly and clearly that we do not want Draconian legislation.” He said at the signing ceremony, “We do not want our state to take place of the Federal government.”

Yet while leaders were content with the favorable response, there was some opposition to the wording on the new compact. Organizations such as the Utah Minuteman Project, and conservative leaders like Bob Lonsberry, and former Arizona Sen. Karen Johnson, criticized the Utah Compact, claiming that it protects illegal immigrants. Days after its signing, Lonsberry published a column on his personal site, claiming that the Compact was “offensive, arrogant, and dishonest.”

Sen. Johnson expressed similar beliefs, writing a series of extensive articles, claiming that the Utah Compact “tosses aside 800 years of history as thoughtlessly as a wanton woman casts aside her virtue.” Her later articles claim that the Utah Compact was “deceptive, and used psychological manipulation.”

What now?

The Utah Compact continues to receive criticism, but for much different reasons. Nearly seven years later, the Compact is still in affect—but seen as highly ineffective. Thurston believes that while the intent and values of the Compact were well-crafted, it hold no political value.

“People in the legislature are going to be hesitant to address immigration because they are going to say that even if we put our best foot forward, the federal government doesn't seem to be interested in what we have to say, or at least the federal law doesn't permit us to do what we want,” Thurston said, “People are a little shy about proposing a big change, which is why you won't see anything significant.”

But the political talk around immigration has hardly ceased. After President Trump announced his intentions to dissolve the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, Utah voters and representatives were quick to respond. In a speech to Congress, Representative Mia Love. R-Utah. said, “They are, by all accounts, Americans,” and encouraging Congress to continue helping the children who were brought into this country illegally, also known as dreamers.

Almost 75 percent of respondents in a Dan Jones & Associates survey indicated they support allowing 'dreamers' to stay in the United States. Some 21 percent said they should be deported, while seven percent marked undecided.

Controversy continues after the Trump administration announces plans to build an immigration jail in Utah. In an interview with the Deseret News, Salt Lake City spokesperson Matthew Rojas says the city is concerned.

“We are a welcoming city, and we've gone on the record as being very supportive of our immigrant communities.”

The Utah Compact

A DECLARATION OF FIVE PRINCIPLES TO GUIDE UTAH’S IMMIGRATION DISCUSSION

FEDERAL SOLUTIONS:

Immigration is a federal policy issue between the U.S. government and other countries—not Utah and other countries. We urge Utah’s congressional delegation, and others, to lead efforts to strengthen federal laws and protect our national borders. We urge state leaders to adopt reasonable policies addressing immigrants in Utah.

LAW ENFORCEMENT: We respect the rule of law and support law enforcement’s professional judgment and discretion. Local law enforcement resources should focus on criminal activities, not civil violations of federal code.

FAMILIES: Strong families are the foundation of successful communities. We oppose policies that unnecessarily separate families. We champion policies that support families and improve the health, education and well-being of all Utah children.

ECONOMY: Utah is best served by a free-market philosophy that maximizes individual freedom and opportunity. We acknowledge the economic role immigrants play as workers and taxpayers. Utah’s immigration policies must reaffirm our global reputation as a welcoming and business-friendly state.

A FREE SOCIETY: Immigrants are integrated into communities across Utah. We must adopt a humane approach to this reality, reflecting our unique culture, history and spirit of inclusion. The way we treat immigrants will say more about us as a free society and less about our immigrant neighbors. Utah should always be a place that welcomes people of goodwill

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Utah's Political Evolution

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Biographical information: Representative Norman K. Thurston (R )

Represents district 64 in the Utah House of Representatives. Received a Bachelors degree in Spanish and Agricultural Economics at Brigham Young University, and a Masters and Doctorate in Economics at Princeton University. Currently serves as an economist. Representative Thurston is a member of the Economic Development and Workforce services committee, government operations interim committee, House health and Human services committee, and House Government Operations Committee. He is also a former assistant council commissioner, council officer and executive board member for Boy Scouts of America. Representative Thurston lives in Provo with his wife, Maria. To find an extensive list of current sponsored legislation, see https://le.utah.gov/asp/billsintro/RepResults.asp?Listbox3=THURSNK&cyear=y