UTAH, June 4, 2021 (Gephardt Daily) — The Utah House Democratic Caucus on Friday issued a proclamation supporting the Utah Compact on Immigration.
“Utah House Democrats, in recognizing Immigrant Heritage Month, reaffirm our support for the Utah Compact on Immigration and for reasonable, decisive, and comprehensive policy actions to reform the nation’s legal immigration system, strengthen labor protections, address workforce shortages, and keep families together,” the group’s released statement says.
“It is notable that we all depend on immigrants every single day for food, labor, tax dollars, growing our economy, and providing services. It is notable that nearly 10,500 Dreamers call Utah home, out of the nearly 800,000 people who arrived in the U.S. undocumented as children. It is notable that nearly 1 in 10 current Utah residents was born abroad.
“The majority of all Americans, including the majority of Utahns, agree that Dreamers, TPS (Temporary Protected Status) holders, DED (Deferred Enforced Departure) holders, and undocumented farm workers should have a legal pathway to citizenship. The moment for action is now. We cannot afford any further delay.”
The statement urged Utah’s senators to support the cause.
“We urge Senator Romney and Senator Lee to support and pass the bipartisan Farm Workforce Modernization Act and the American Dream & Promise Act, to finally address workforce shortages and help attract talent and business to our state, while also providing essential workers such as farm workers, educators, and health practitioners a pathway to legalization.
“We also urge Utah’s Congressional delegation to support the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021. This legislation will provide a comprehensive approach to reforming our immigration system, including responsibly managing the security of the southern border, providing an earned path to citizenship, addressing the root causes of migration, and reforming the legal immigrant visa system.
“As Utahns, we celebrate our differences and our shared humanity. We believe that no matter how or when we got here, where we arrived from, or what we look like, we are going forward together.”
The statement concluded with the following:
“We empathize with the yearnings of so many new and aspiring Americans who seek opportunities for a fulfilling life. We believe America can still be a land of promise for those working honestly and hard for a safe and better life for themselves and their families.”
