Earlier this year, the Deseret Morning News made immigration one of its key issues for 2005. Our extended series on the subject, along with dozens of other articles, columns and editorials, have helped keep the topic on the agenda. And so have recent declarations by Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.
At meetings of the Western Governors Association in Arizona, Huntsman volunteered to draft a proposal on immigration reform for 2006. He promised to address it as a three-pronged issue that involves the need for a guest worker program, concerns about citizenship and efforts to secure the southern border.
We anxiously await his ideas.
Huntsman, in fact, may have some unique perspective on the issue. The son of a man who founded a corporate juggernaut, the governor is well aware of the delicate balance between employers and employees. His years of diplomatic service should help him balance political issues, and his personal relationship with President Vicente Fox of Mexico should allow him to inject the human element into the debate.
We wish the governor well with his "white paper" (an unfortunate label) and encourage him to use his skills to build the consensus needed. Since immigration is, for the most part, a federal issue, it is still unclear what governors from a handful of Western states will be able to accomplish. But the fact the chief executives have turned a spotlight on the subject should show others in government how seriously they take it and how pressing the need is.
Just as every immigrant has a story to tell, every businessman, politician and federal employee who deals with immigrants has an individual slant on the topic. Finding a common thread among them all is impossible. But finding something workable doesn't have to be. And as the debate rages and the feathers fly, we remind all involved not to lose sight of the priorities: fairness, human dignity, freedom and order.
Huntsman has said finding answers will take some time.
We agree. It is important to get things right. But it is also important the process not be hijacked or sidetracked by petty concerns or lack of will.
The time is ripe for immigration reform. Utah's governor has a unique perspective and unique skills for the task. To work!