First –– There really is a problem. Here are a few facts:

• There are 8 million to 12 million illegal immigrants in the US.
• There are 40,000 to 80,000 illegal immigrants in Utah.
• Existing and past immigration policies have not worked.
• Most enforcement efforts until now have been relatively ineffective

Second –– It’s easier to criticize than solve problems.

Unfortunately, critics use words and phrases designed to evoke emotional responses instead of proposing solutions to problems. Some of the common phrases we hear are:

“We should have done a better job of enforcing the law, and then we wouldn’t be in this situation.”

 ”Just round up all the “illegals” and ship them back to where they came from.”

These are not solutions. This problem is over 40 years in the making. When you hear these phrases, you need to ask yourself, should government authorities begin going door-to-door forcing people to produce documentation of citizenship? Will we need travel papers when going from state to state?”  Obviously, the answer to these questions must be no. Our freedoms and liberties should not be infringed in this manner.  Likewise, you will find most aspects of this problem very difficult and solutions in short supply, especially from the critics.

Third –– Contrary to the rhetoric, Congressman Cannon’s proposals are not amnesty.

Amnesty is forgiveness for illegal behavior. No one is proposing such a thing. Chris has helped craft a proposal specifically to address a critical need in America”s agricultural community known as the AgJOBs Bill. It works like this: A non-US citizen would apply for an agricultural work or guest visa. They would have to show a pattern of dependability and commitment to this type of work. Over a 3-6 year apprenticeship, they could earn the right to stay in America and continue working in this industry. These guests would never be eligible for preferential treatment towards citizenship or government entitlements.

AgJOBs really provides a bridge between those who are eligible for legal immigration and those who come here without permission to provide for their families.

Fourth –– Why is this type of proposal needed?

A temporary worker program like AgJOBs is not new to America. In the 1950’s, there was a successful guest worker program and AgJOBs is modeled after it. Compare Chris” proposal with the situation today: Outside the law, organized crime syndicates smuggle workers across the border at times under inhumane and dangerous conditions. Unscrupulous employers may take advantage of them once they are here. There must be a better way.

Of the millions of illegal aliens in the U.S., up to 500,000 are agricultural workers, picking the fruits and vegetables that keep our food supply plentiful and affordable. As many as 40,000 of these workers may be in Utah. The AgJOBs Bill would allow many of these workers to emerge from the shadows of our society and register for this program.

9/11 taught us that we must do a better job at keeping track of who enters America. Homeland Security can never be adequate with a broken immigration system. AgJOBs will provide a tracking mechanism that will allow us to screen out felons and terrorists.

Fifth –– This program is vital to the future of agriculture in America.

There is already broad support for this program in the agriculture industry. Here in Utah there is a crisis in farm labor. It is the same in virtually every state. American farmers consider foreign farm workers absolutely critical to their industry. AgJOBs solves a big part of their problem and allows fruits and vegetables to continue to be an affordable part of our diet in America.

As powerful as the American dream is, most of those coming do not want to remain here permanently. They stay because repeated crossings are dangerous and expensive. We can solve that problem through a limited guest worker program. At the same time, we can make it possible to bring many honest, hard-working illegals out of the shadows, into the light, leaving only the criminals and terrorists, exposed and vulnerable.

Along the way we secure our food supply and keep it plentiful and affordable. It looks to us like everyone wins. Willing immigrant workers will get temporary legal status and better wages and working conditions. Farmers will get a stable work force. Consumers will get better assurance of a safe, stable, affordable American-grown, food supply. Law-abiding Americans will know that illegal behavior is not rewarded with amnesty.

Lastly –– Chris Cannon has earned our support in his re-election campaign

Let’s reject the rhetoric and manipulation sown by outsiders, be true to our ideals, and solve our problems. Don’t be fooled by those who are attempting to defeat Congressman Cannon and other key leaders on the immigration issue. Chris Cannon is doing exactly what we elected him to do: craft common-sense solutions to difficult problems. We urge you to join us and support Chris Cannon at Saturday’s State Republican Convention.