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| ![](../images/spacer.gif) | ![](../images/spacer.gif) | Editorials | Opinions ![](../images/spacer-g.gif) ![](../images/spacer.gif)
Immigration is About All of Us
Mark Alvarez - PVNN December 29, 2010
![](../images/spacer.gif) A civilization could be judged by the degree of diversity attained and the degree of unity retained... -W.H. Auden
![](../images/spacer.gif) 1. Immigrants benefit Utah economically, culturally and socially.
![](../images/spacer.gif) • Diversity and cultural richness strengthen our community.
![](../images/spacer.gif) • Throughout Utah's history increasing levels of immigration have accompanied economic prosperity. Immigrants bring skills, determination and ingenuity for economic, cultural and social endeavors. They complement skill sets of Utahans.
![](../images/spacer.gif) • Immigrant aspirations are consistent with better conditions for all. Utah can gain through collaborative work for common goals.
![](../images/spacer.gif) 2. Effective immigration law must be enacted and administered at the federal level.
![](../images/spacer.gif) • The U.S. Constitution and Supreme Court jurisprudence grant authority over immigration to the federal government.
![](../images/spacer.gif) • Utah and the country are better served by uniform immigration policy than by a patchwork system that differs across towns, states and regions.
![](../images/spacer.gif) • State and local immigration policies tend to increase societal tension and interfere with community and relationship building.
![](../images/spacer.gif) 3. Human rights and human dignity must be respected.
![](../images/spacer.gif) • Immigration laws and policy must be guided by American core and founding values such as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
![](../images/spacer.gif) • Migrants and immigrants have rights and responsibilities under the Constitution, including due process, privacy, freedom from search and humane, seizure and freedom of speech.
![](../images/spacer.gif) • Immigration laws and policies must be enacted and administered in a nondiscriminatory manner that respects families and human dignity.
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Mark Alvarez is a Salt Lake City attorney and a member of the city Library Board. He co-hosts a Spanish-language radio show. He currently resides in Mexico City. Contact him at alvarez_mark2004(at)yahoo.com.
![](../images/spacer.gif) Click HERE to read more articles by Mark Alvarez on PVWriters.com. |
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