Freedom Forum: Immigration Policy and Reform

None by KCPW

Airdate: April 12, 2006

Freedom Forum on Immigration Policy and Reform.

Panelists include:

Mark Alvarez - Administrator for Minority and Community Affairs, Salt Lake City Mayor's Office.
Senator Curtis Bramble (R-Provo)
Sylvia Haro - Senior Vice-President of Community Outreach and President of the Multicultural Retail Region, Zions Bank.
Thomas Maloney, Associate Professor, University of Utah Economics Department; co-author of recently published study, "The Economic Impact of the Mexico-Utah Relationship"
Barry Hatch - Community Activist, founder of "Save America."

This Freedom Forum was recorded at the Salt Lake City Main Library on April 12, 2006.

Download this audio file

1. Ivan said:

Is it possible to get a downloadable version of this broadcast?

2. Dr.Stuart Schaller, PhD said:

First, let me thank you for the opportunity to speak to the panel last evening.

As can be clearly seen from the turnout for the forum, and in spite of the rallies last weekend, not everyone is in support of amnesty or guest worker programs.

As to economic studies on the matter, data cane be skewed to present any view. As was requested of me by one of your panelists, Thomas Mahoney, I have e-mailed him the link to the Harvard University study, which states that illegal immigration is costing the US citizenry to the tune of 50 billion dollars per year.

Thank You,

Dr.Stuart Schaller, PhD

3. Bryan Schott said:

You can download the Forum by clicking the down arrow on the audio player above.

4. Steve said:

Dr. Schaller said, "As to economic studies on the matter, data cane be skewed to present any view."

I agree. I have seen studies that "prove" that illegal immigrants cost the country and other studies that "prove" that they contribute more over a lifetime then they take from the system. I'm sure that some experts can rebut the conclusions of the Harvard study.

When my mom took introductory statistics at the University of Utah, her professor said that you can use statistics to say anything you want.

5. Jack Alexander said:

I think that the commentary by Barry Hatch and others who were of like mind expressed the feelings of the majority of Americans. If we are indeed a nation of laws, let us act like one - and not grant tacit amnesty-style-citizenship to law-breakers who have crossed the border into our country illegally. Why should they be allowed to stay when there are others on the other side waiting for their turn to come in legally? What difference does it make if they are here 1 day, 1 month or 10 years? If the law is the law, then why aren't our elected representatives supporting and advocating strict adherence to the law and the constitution. Rocky Anderson and the rest of his ilk should be thrown out of office. The voices of the people will be heard and these people will not have a job come next election if they continue on the path they are treading.

6. Tommy Bay said:

I had the privilege to attend this freedom forum. I think that our Mayor has done a wonderful thing in giving us an opportunity to be heard as the citizens of our fine city and state. I also think that it was quite evident by the reaction of those who made time to be there that the majority believes in this country and the laws by which it is "governed". I hope that our mayor was not blind to this simple fact.

What kind of a message are we sending to these people whom we let across our borders illegally and then grant them benefits rather than punishments for breaking our laws!? Why do we believe that they will not abuse other laws? Certainly, there are good people coming over our borders seeking a better life, but that desire does not give them the right to take it unlawfully.

The LEGAL US citizenry should not be dealing with these problems at all! It's like the police deciding that speeding is a necessary evil and people have places they need to be. They stop pulling people over (maybe one or two here or there) but the responsibility eventually rests on the concerned inhabitants of the cities. They have to start taking their time and energy to petition our traffic officers to do their job and uphold the law! Sounds a little ridiculous, but that is what is going on. We have to petition our legislators to UPHOLD THE LAW because they WON'T DO IT THEMSELVES!

To our lawmakers and law enforcers I say, "Respect our laws. Uphold our laws. For the sake of our beautiful country and its tax-paying citizens! PLEASE!!"

7. Ivan said:

Thanks, for some reason the flash audio player isn't showing up at all for me. But I was able to grab the mp3 file directly from this link: http://www.kcpw.org/media/audio/Specials/Immforum.mp3

8. KF said:

In response to Tommy, "I think that our Mayor has done a wonderful thing in giving us an opportunity to be heard as the citizens of our fine city and state. I also think that it was quite evident by the reaction of those who made time to be there that the majority believes in this country and the laws by which it is "governed". I hope that our mayor was not blind to this simple fact." I agree, the open forum is a good idea. Saddly you have a great deal of misplaced hope. The idea that our mayors office is "not blind to simple facts" is pie in the sky.

9. Jeff Austin said:

If Americans were honest with themselves, they'd likely admin that it's not the illegal immigrant’s fault, it's our fault this is out of control.

I'm 50 years old and I believe that my generation has brainwashed its offspring with the importance of a college education and especially a degree so "you won't have to work at a McDonald's".

We've slowly & effectively taught our children that they're too good to get a low paying job, or even start at the bottom and work their way up the ladder.

Our neighbors to the south are all too happy to take these low paying jobs because the youth that we've taught think they're just above that.

Don't blame the Mexicans and Cubans, lets’ blame ourselves.

10. Amy said:

I am sorry but i am outraged at the way that some people think here with so much hate, disrespect, immaturity, and such closed mindedness. i am a 19 year old pre-med oriented student at the university of utah that is legal and have never seen people act the way they did here. there is no way that you can say that ALL crimes and gangs are caused my illegal when you no for a fact that LEGALS commit crimes as well. I am sorry but you can not categorize groups of people together as a genaralization. That is racism, yes it is.

Another thing is that fact that someone stated that the people at this forum represented the way that ALL of americans believe. You are mistaken, i am a legal citizen as well as registered to vote. i was at the rally and march and not everyone there was illegal, therefore i do have that right to protest,

If you open up your mind and think, if you go back to many many years ago... Whether you like it or not you are illegal unless you are Native American. Not everyone came legal, if that were the case there would not be even half of the people that are here.

11. Dr.Stuart Schaller, PhD said:

Maybe Amy is right; we should go back 200 years and take the same kind of action people would have done then; the politicians would be dragged out of their offices and tared and feathered! Words mean little. It is actions (and not actions such as marches and rallies) that mean something.

12. Lewis Ivie said:

Why do so many people play the RACE card, and call people racist. Why can't people simply open their eyes and see whats going on. It's plain and simple.... there is a race of people sneaking across our border from the south illegally. Some of whom are good natured people looking for a better life. There is also a lot that tunnel their way in bringing drugs and smuggling illegals. Nobody can deny the quality(or quantity) that are literally flooding this country and turning it into a slum. Prisons are filling up with illegals that have committed crimes and are completing their sentence and will be deported. To me, it is a racial problem from the south. They're just bringing Mexico here, it seems. Wake up Americans!!!