Written by: Kristine Pratt
ontherecord@abc4.com
The signing of the Utah Compact caused a stir in the community as we get closer and closer to the 2011 Legislative Session. Many ideas on how immigration should be dealt with have already been proposed. Ogden Mayor Matthew Godfrey and Marty Carpenter from the Salt Lake Chamber go On the Record to talk about the compact and it's impact.
Part of the problem is that many can't decide if this is a state or a federal issue. Several arguments have been made on both sides, but nothing has happened yet.
Mayor Godfrey says that many say the issue can and must be solved locally, and it will work. "But we just don't have the manpower."
"I think you're seeing a push nationally to have the issue addressed," Carpenter says. But many are frustrated the this is a federal issue, but they just aren't getting the job done.
But back to the state level, the Compact was nearing 2,000 signatures in just it's first week, which Carpenter says is much better than expected.
Part of the debate in Utah is what law enforcement's role is in the issue. Godfrey says that they need to stay focused on the criminal element, but "we also need a border to contain them once we do catch them and arrest them."
As previously mentioned, the Utah Compact has been signed by several important people in the Utah community. Some of those members include: Layne Beatty, Bishop Wester, Senator Judy Garn, Olene Walker, the Attorney General, and the LDS Church also released a statement of support.
