Sutherland Institute Advocates Compassion in Immigration Debate

Aug 27, 2008 by Jeff Robinson

(KCPW News) Although many conservatives are strongly against the idea of illegal immigrants staying in Utah and receiving benefits, the Sutherland Institute hopes to instill some compassion in state lawmakers. Staff members will speak to the Immigration Interim Committee this evening in Park City. As public affairs manager Stan Rasmussen explains, the conservative think tank firmly believes that most illegal immigrants come to Utah with the best intentions.

"The elements that we'll address will have to do with looking at illegal immigrants and the fact that they're not much different from Utah citizens," said Rasmussen. "Our evidence indicates that the majority of immigrants in Utah are people of good will whose presence is a benefit to our state. We will look at areas that have to do with family structure and work ethic."

Tonight's meeting in Park City will include several speakers, including the Utah Minuteman Project, a group that advocates for increased border enforcement and deportation.

Rasmussen says there's a place for groups like the minutemen in the discussion about immigration, but there's more to the issue than just the rule of law.

"We surely understand and concur with notions about importance about the rule of law, however, we feel as policymakers take a closer look at the lives and decide the fate of Utah's illegal immigrant community, they're going to hopefully see these people as they see themselves, as people and not as objects," said Rasmussen.

Tonight's meeting starts at 5:30 at Ecker Hill International Middle School in Park City. It's expected to last about four hours.

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