Written by: Kristine Pratt
ontherecord@abc4.com
Illegal immigration is a very hot topic in the United States, and in Utah. There has already been lots of talk leading up to the legislative session that starts in January. In November, several influential members of the community signed the Utah Compact which outlines five guidelines to guide the illegal immigration debate. Marty Carpenter from the Salt Lake Chamber, and Ogden Mayor Matthew Godfrey go
On the Record to talk to talk about the Compact and what it means.
"Utah's a welcoming place," Carpenter says. "So this really boils down to that. We want to show that we're a welcoming place, and a place that welcomes people that are different than us."
Godfrey goes on to say that we need to be respectful of people who want to live the American Dream.
Here in Utah, there is a lot of emphasis on the family, which is one of the five principles laid out in the Utah Compact.
"Family is core to our being” and who we are Godfrey says. "Having prudent, surgical, methodical, and well thought out is is crucial to keeping families."
Ultimately no matter what happens in the discussion, and what the end result will be, there will be consequences. And it could take more than just the one 45 day session to make sure that it is right.
"I think the long term goal is to make sure we get it right," says Godfrey.
In the end, the Utah compact “is not a bill. It’s not a piece of legislation," Carpenter says. It's five principles to guide the immigration discussion.
Only time will tell what happens for the outcome of this issue.
