Immigration reform can be achieved

Deseret News (Salt Lake City), May 5, 2006 by Jeffrey C. Hammond

As a member of Congressman Chris Cannon's Immigration Advisory Committee, I have witnessed a process which should provide great encouragement as our nation's leaders tackle the difficult issue of immigration. What I witnessed was civil and thoughtful debate among people dedicated to finding a reasonable and workable solution to the immigration problem.

The committee comprised community members from a wide spectrum of backgrounds, professions and political persuasions. It was made up of immigration attorneys, farmers, political activists, academics, business leaders and community leaders. From the first meeting, it was evident the members were bringing with them strong and disparate views on how the immigration problem should be solved. The committee had the potential of devolving into the unfortunate norm -- rancor, stubbornness and closed-mindedness. But instead, progress was made by first establishing the positions on which the members agreed and then systematically confronting more divisive issues. Through commenting, debating, persuading and ultimately meeting at a reasonable compromise, the committee was able to produce a comprehensive immigration policy recommendation that the majority of the members could accept.

Was every member happy with every recommendation of the committee? Of course not. A requirement of unanimity on every detail would be paralyzing to the process. In fact, a few members of the committee chose not to endorse the final recommendation. And that is just fine. In the democratic process, it is the majority that determines policy, not those on the fringes. There are those on both sides of the issue that will never be satisfied; they do not understand the importance and virtue of reasonable compromise in the public policy arena.

The immigration problem can be solved, but it will require thoughtful action by our nation's lawmakers. A solution must be implemented that is acceptable to most. This can only be achieved through civil discussion coupled with reasonable compromise. The example of Congressman Cannon's Immigration Advisory Committee is a good place to start.

Jeffrey C. Hammond is an immigration attorney at the law firm of Smith Hammond, LLP.