The Immigration Debate Justice & Mercy

There has been a lot of debate about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints statement on immigration. Those that demand Justice and those the demand Mercy. I think in this debate we need to be mindful of a parable told by Boyd K. Packer

Let me tell you a story--a parable.

There once was a man who wanted something very much. It seemed more important than anything else in his life. In order for him to have his desire, he incurred a great debt.

He had been warned about going into that much debt, and particularly about his creditor. But it seemed so important for him to do what he wanted to do and to have what he wanted right now. He was sure he could pay for it later.

So he signed a contract. He would pay it off some time along the way. He didn't worry too much about it, for the due date seemed such a long time away. He had what he wanted now, and that was what seemed important.

The creditor was always somewhere in the back of his mind, and he made token payments now and again, thinking somehow that the day of reckoning really would never come.

But as it always does, the day came, and the contract fell due. The debt had not been fully paid. His creditor appeared and demanded payment in full.

Only then did he realize that his creditor not only had the power to repossess all that he owned, but the power to cast him into prison as well.

"I cannot pay you, for I have not the power to do so," he confessed.

"Then," said the creditor, "we will exercise the contract, take your possessions, and you shall go to prison. You agreed to that. It was your choice. You signed the contract, and now it must be enforced."

"Can you not extend the time or forgive the debt?" the debtor begged. "Arrange some way for me to keep what I have and not go to prison. Surely you believe in mercy? Will you not show mercy?"

The creditor replied, "Mercy is always so one-sided. It would serve only you. If I show mercy to you, it will leave me unpaid. It is justice I demand. Do you believe in justice?"

"I believed in justice when I signed the contract," the debtor said. "It was on my side then, for I thought it would protect me. I did not need mercy then, nor think I should need it ever. Justice, I thought, would serve both of us equally as well."

"It is justice that demands that you pay the contract or suffer the penalty," the creditor replied. "That is the law. You have agreed to it and that is the way it must be. Mercy cannot rob justice."

There they were: One meting out justice, the other pleading for mercy. Neither could prevail except at the expense of the other.

"If you do not forgive the debt there will be no mercy," the debtor pleaded.

"If I do, there will be no justice," was the reply.

Both laws, it seemed, could not be served. They are two eternal ideals that appear to contradict one another. Is there no way for justice to be fully served, and mercy also?

There is a way! The law of justice can be fully satisfied and mercy can be fully extended--but it takes someone else. And so it happened this time.

The debtor had a friend. He came to help. He knew the debtor well. He knew him to be shortsighted. He thought him foolish to have gotten himself into such a predicament. Nevertheless, he wanted to help because he loved him. He stepped between them, faced the creditor, and made this offer.

"I will pay the debt if you will free the debtor from his contract so that he may keep his possessions and not go to prison."

As the creditor was pondering the offer, the mediator added, "You demanded justice. Though he cannot pay you, I will do so. You will have been justly dealt with and can ask no more. It would not be just."

And so the creditor agreed.

The mediator turned then to the debtor. "If I pay your debt, will you accept me as your creditor?"

"Oh yes, yes," cried the debtor. "You save me from prison and show mercy to me."

"Then," said the benefactor, "you will pay the debt to me and I will set the terms. It will not be easy, but it will be possible. I will provide a way. You need not go to prison."

And so it was that the creditor was paid in full. He had been justly dealt with. No contract had been broken. The debtor, in turn, had been extended mercy. Both laws stood fulfilled. Because there was a mediator, justice had claimed its full share, and mercy was fully satisfied.

Each of us lives on a kind of spiritual credit. One day the account will be closed, a settlement demanded. However casually we may view it now, when that day comes and the foreclosure is imminent, we will look around in restless agony for someone, anyone, to help us.

And, by eternal law, mercy cannot be extended save there be one who is both willing and able to assume our debt and pay the price and arrange the terms for our redemption.

Unless there is a mediator, unless we have a friend, the full weight of justice untempered, unsympathetic, must, positively must fall on us. The full recompense for every transgression, however minor or however deep, will be exacted from us to the uttermost farthing.

But know this: Truth, glorious truth, proclaims there is such a Mediator.

"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." (1 Tim. 2:5.)

Through Him mercy can be fully extended to each of us without offending the eternal law of justice. (From "The Mediator," Ensign, May 1977, pp. 54-56)

I think that we need to remember that in order for their to be MERCY there must be a mediator or someone to pay the demands of JUSTICE.

In the debate over immigration we know what the demand are for Justice are. What we don't know is who willing pay the demands of Justice in order for their to be Mercy.

Just something to think about.

ARIZONA POLICE ASSOCIATION INDUCTS THE HONORABLE RUSSELL PEARCE AS HONORARY MEMBER

“Senator Pearce is, has been, and will continue to be a fierce advocate for
the law enforcement community. He is dedicated to the Rule of Law;
protection of the public and protection of Officer’s Rights. He recognizes
and acts on the need to improve state, national and international security
measures. Senator Pearce is willing to take the fight to the front lines
instead of waiting for those whose intent is to do us harm to arrive on the
doorstep of our homes, businesses and governmental institutions. His
fortitude and dedication to the community he represents and the State of
Arizona is exemplified by the honor bestowed on him by the members of this
association,” Brian Livingston, APA Executive Director, stated. “

Read more here

Jerry Lewis, Russell Pearce and Mormon Church's Stance On Immigration.

At the last Republican legislative district 18 meeting on September 27, there was some discussion on the LDS churches stance on illegal immigration so I thought I would post the first couple of paragraphs and a link to the rest of the statement. The of  Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints made this statement on June 10, 2011. There have been two statement made and this is the latest.

Around the world, debate on the immigration question has become intense.  That is especially so in the United States. Most Americans agree that the federal government of the United States should secure its borders and sharply reduce or eliminate the flow of undocumented immigrants. Unchecked and unregulated, such a flow may destabilize society and ultimately become unsustainable.

As a matter of policy, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints discourages its members from entering any country without legal documentation, and from deliberately overstaying legal travel visas.

What to do with the estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants now residing in various states within the United States is the biggest challenge in the immigration debate.  The bedrock moral issue for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is how we treat each other as children of God...... read full text here.

I think it is important to note that it is not a legal issue for the church but a humanitarian issue for the church and how to deal with those already here illegally in the country. I think it is also important to note that the church encourages its members to comply with the laws in the countries they reside and to square themselves with the law if they are not in compliance.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Later-Day Saints also has a policy statement:

21.1.16

Emigration of Members

Generally, members are encouraged to remain in their native lands to build up and strengthen the Church. Opportunities for Church activity and for receiving and sharing the blessings of the gospel are increasing greatly throughout the world. As members remain in their homelands and work to build the Church there, great blessings will come to them personally and to the Church. Stakes and wards throughout the world will be strengthened, making it possible to share the blessings of the gospel with an even greater number of Heavenly Father’s children.

Experience has shown that those who emigrate often encounter language, cultural, and economic challenges, resulting in disappointment and personal and family difficulties.

Missionaries should not ask their parents, relatives, or others to sponsor members who wish to emigrate to other countries.

Members who emigrate to any country should comply with applicable laws.

When coming to the United States or other countries on student or tourist visas, members should not expect to find jobs or obtain permanent visas after entering that country.

To be considered for Church employment in any country, a person must meet all conditions of immigration and naturalization laws. The Church does not sponsor immigration through Church employment.

The church also recognizes the difficulties that people encounter, which can also result in personal and family difficulties. The church also recognizes that in order to be employed a person must meet all condition of immigration and naturalization laws.

For Jerry Lewis and his supporter to say that the church doesn't agree with SB1070 or other immigrations laws is wrong.


What they are doing by bring the church in to immigration debate in this recall is mixing church and state and trying to confuse and miss-represent the LDS Church's position on the issue to gain the LDS communities support for their candidate. This is wrong!

I encourage anybody that has questions about the LDS Churches position on immigration to study it out for themselves, make their own determination and not relay upon political candidates or their supporters for interpretation of the churches position.

Who is the REAL WINNER in the Recall Race?

Everybody knows where I stand in this race and everybody knows about the sham I feel this recall is to the voters of Mesa and the State of Arizona.

Now I know, some people will disagree with me and that is fine. But it can't be said that I don't stand up for what I believe to be right even if others feel I'm total wrong. I call it as I see it.

Putting that aside let's take a little deeper look at the issue of the recall and the potential out come.

The recall group and those opposing the senator Pearce say he is hurting Arizona and not focusing on the needs of Arizonans. I question that and I question their motives in the recall. Is it really to "Better Arizona or Mesa" as I pointed out previously post or is there another motive.

Senator Pearce has brought attention to the issue of illegal immigration, both on locally and national level. His action have forced the federal government to take notice and to take action on the issue by suing the State of Arizona. Other states are now following Arizona's lead and have their own version of SB1070 that they are working on or have passed and guess what they are being sued also. Because of Senator Pearce's efforts in this area, to protect Arizona, Arizonans and the nation for that matter; he has become a high profile target for those in opposition to having states participate in doing the job the federal government has failed or refuses to do.

The political party that has the most interest in NOT dealing with the immigration issue is the Democratic Party. Why because they see the Latino vote as a vote for them and they do not want to do anything that would dilute the vote. That is one reason why they are so against cleaning up the voter roles here in Arizona and across the nation.

And that is why they have targeted Senate President Russell Pearce for removal.

Democrats are very united in their efforts and if they move slowly or quickly it doesn't matter because they are good at staying united and working for their goal of socialism. Republicans on the other hand, have a much harder time doing that and that works to the advantage of the Democrats.

The Democrats have been trying for years and waiting for the right time to strike. They have been planning for this moment for some time. The recall against Senator President Russell Pearce was planed even before the last legislative session started in January of 2011.

That is where Randy Parraz comes into the pictures. As one supporter said:

He (Randy Parraz) moved to Arizona from California, for the purpose of making changes in Arizona.  He has been trained, and has trained others, in doing exactly that. His goal is to turn Arizona into a blue state.

So what have the good Republicans of legislative district 18 done, they took the bait! Randy Parraz provided the hook, (recall) and Republicans who would not of taken the bait before now have. As another supporter said:

Who is the winner and who is the loser in what you see right now?  The Democrat Randy Parraz is the hands-down winner.  He has gotten not just Republicans to fight against each other, he has gotten Mormons to fight against each other.   He has gotten Arizona Conservatives to take their attention off other, very  important issues and instead focus on “the recall election of Russell Pearce”!   You (Republican detractors) made the decision that the recall of Russell Pearce trumped everything else.  After all, it was your right.

 If Randy Parraz is successful in his efforts to recall Senator Pearce it will just embolden him and he will go after other conservatives in his effort for change. Haven't we had enough of the HOPE and CHANGE?

Here is what Melissa Houghton said in a comment left on Facebook:

Better days for AZ, and for the rest of the US, hopefully. When Pearce is gone, perhaps there will be a domino effect....truly, this recall effort is a model for everywhere else.

As another support put it:

...will Mr. Lewis be able to do any good?  No.  He has no power, no clue, no political clout. He knows nothing about how to implement any policies or ideas he may have about illegal immigration, jobs, the economy, education, or anything else. He will end up going along and getting along.  He doesn’t have the guts or the stomach to face the angry illegals who desecrated our beloved American flag at the state capitol.  Nothing in his training or experience has prepared him to stand up to the “in your face” provocation that Russell Pearce has faced. Jerry Lewis is much too nice for that ugly fight. He will cave.

 This country is in moral decay, we are calling good bad and bad good. We have a government that is out of control and good men such are Russell Pearce step up to the plate, works to protect our borders, bring jobs to Arizona and Mesa, fights to keep taxes low, fights to make education better by working for choices and getting more money into class rooms instead of administrators, and we call that bad.

Randy Parraz handed the Republican detractors of Senator Pearce a line, hook and sinker and they bit. They are now doing the work of the Democratic Party to bring about Dems. goals. We have done just what they wanted us to do. Why do you think they aren't running a Democratic candidate because they know one can't win.

Here is what Crystal E. Long another Randy Parraz supporter had to say about his efforts:

You are creating History Randy. I watch in awe.

Is this the kind of history we as Mesa voters want? To know that we did the the work of the Democratic Party?

Having been elected at second vice chairman of the state Republican Party, having served as Legislative District 18 chairman and as a former Member of the Maricopa County GOP Executive guidance committee, I do understand a few things about how politics works. I ask who has and can help Mesa the most, is it Senator Russell Pearce or is it new comer Jerry Lewis who will have no clout in the state. If you think about it long and hard, I think you will come to the right conclusion.

What is best, isn't always what is handed to you on a Silver Platter!

Jerry Lewis & Utah Compact, Unconstitutional!

Jerry Lewis says that he fully supports the Utah Compact (The Arizona Guardian) but the problem is the Utah Compact and its supporting bill in the Utah are unconstitutional and doing to help illegal immigrants in this country. Even the the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is backing away from it.

This only leads us to one conclusion Jerry Lewis knows nothing about constitution of the United States of America, its founding principles, or the Arizona Constitution or any of the immigration laws that have been passed.

On the other hand Russell Pearce understand the law and immigration legislation passed in Arizona is being found to be constitutional and majority of those in Arizona support the laws.

Jerry Lewis on the other hand he just wants the Hispanics to fell welcome in his country and he doesn't care if they are legal or illegal. (Tribune Oct 2005)

Salt Lake Chamber Dupes Supporters of the Utah Compact

By Ronald W. Mortensen, April 13, 2011

Did the Salt Lake Chamber dupe Utah's religious organizations, social justice groups, and media outlets into helping it pass legislation that ;guarantees its business members a large pool of low-cost, easily exploited illegal alien labor? It appears that that may have been the case.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saint OFFICIAL Position On Illigel Immigration.

Around the world, debate on the immigration question has become intense. That is especially so in the United States. Most Americans agree that the federal government of the United States should secure its borders and sharply reduce or eliminate the flow of undocumented immigrants. Unchecked and unregulated, such a flow may destabilize society and ultimately become unsustainable.

As a matter of policy, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints discourages its members from entering any country without legal documentation, and from deliberately overstaying legal travel visas.

What to do with the estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants now residing in various states within the United States is the biggest challenge in the immigration debate. The bedrock moral issue for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is how we treat each other as children of God.

The history of mass expulsion or mistreatment of individuals or families is cause for concern especially where race, culture, or religion are involved. This should give pause to any policy that contemplates targeting any one group, particularly if that group comes mostly from one heritage.

As those on all sides of the immigration debate in the United States have noted, this issue is one that must ultimately be resolved by the federal government.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is concerned that any state legislation that only contains enforcement provisions is likely to fall short of the high moral standard of treating each other as children of God.

The Church supports an approach where undocumented immigrants are allowed to square themselves with the law and continue to work without this necessarily leading to citizenship.

In furtherance of needed immigration reform in the United States, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints supports a balanced and civil approach to a challenging problem, fully consistent with its tradition of compassion, its reverence for family, and its commitment to law.

Click here to read the official statement as published.

Pearce Recall - Does Daryl M. Williams, Esq Speak For The Mormon Church

Dee Dee Garcia Blase, President of Somos Republicano, one of the organization behind the recall of Russell Pearce and as some would say part of the "Recall Cartel" introduces Daryl M. Williams, Esq as an authority on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints position on SB 1070 and immigration at a fireside that was held on April 8, 2011 in Mesa Arizona.

To bring authority to what Mr. Williams has to say to the Mormon community she Dee Dee Blase cite his many accomplishments within the Mormon faith. " He is a member of the High Council of the Paradise Valley Arizona Stake. He has been a life-long Mormon, served in several bishoprics, on several High Councils, and in many other callings in the Church. His ancestors lived and are buried in Missouri, Nauvoo, and walked across the plains to Utah. He is a scriptorian."

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints I find it offensive that she would use the positions that Mr. Williams has held in the Mormon faith to justify her cause in recalling Senator Pearce. I also find it offensive that Mr. Williams would pretend that he speaks for the church when he states “Russell Pearce, ... views, however, do not reflect the official position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ... Indeed, Mr. Pearce’s views are inconsistent with the official position of his church.” I find nowhere on any official church website where it indicates that Mr. Williams is a spokesman for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Arizona. Mr. Williams does not speak for the church in any official capacity, therefore his words can not be taken as the churches official position. (A wolf in sheep clothing)

For the members of the church that believe Mr. Williams words are/is the official position of the church I would ask them to think about the stories in the Book of Mormon about the Freemen and the Kingsmen. I would ask them to think about the Title of Liberty and ask them what they are fighting for and if this recall fits into those standards.

My position is that this recall is wrong, it is going against the voice of the people who elected Senator Pearce to the Senate. I would ask you to look at who is behind this recall, not the people who gathered signatures but those behind it and their motives. They don't like the voice of the people, they don't like who the people elected into office. So they seek to destroy the will of the people by their craftiness, cunning, lies and flattering words . They seek to destroy the the rule of law by calling good bad and bad good.

Remember how other governments came crashing down, it was by the perversions of their laws. The recall was meant to be used to remove an elected official who committed a crime. I ask you what crime has been committed here? A man stands up for the rule of law and what do the Kingsmen do, they attempt to tear him down, they attack his family, they attack his friends and when they can't bring him down that way they turn to subverting the laws. In this case by the use of recall.

I don't care where you stand on the recall that is not as important to me as is the subversion of the laws by those who seek to gain from Senator Pearce being removed from office. They are corrupting the laws of this state and they need to be stopped, they need to be exposed for what they really are and for whom they work.

Russell Pearce Recall Effort In Trouble. - Where's The Beef

It appears that Citizens for a Better Arizona and Chad Snow might be in a bit of trouble when it comes to their recall effort against Russell Pearce the Arizona Republic is Reporting.

It seems that they got some misinformation about filling deadlines. I find it even more interesting that people are calling for the firing of people at the Sectary of States Office over this. These are obviously people who have never read the Arizona Revised Statues or had to interpret them, if they had nothing is ever cut and dry. The group had hoped for a November election, that is if they got enough signatures.

What I find more interesting is that the group said they needed more time to gather signatures. That tells me that they are running into trouble now and that people are getting wise to them and the groups racial and open border ties.

It has come to my attention that many of the people signing the petitions are doing so just to get the pushy signature gathers off their porches.

Randy Parraz, Chad Snow and their group are also using the race card in an attempt to get people to sign petitions. In one instance they told a woman that she needed to sign the petition because she was Latino. The women told them I'm sorry but I support Russell Pearce and SB1070.

I also read through the comments and find it very interesting that most if not all the comments are  from anonymous posters, so for all anybody knows it could be the same person posting.

I also found it very interesting that Jim Walsh would be the one credited for the article when it was Gary Nelson who called and talked with me. Does Jim Walsh think he is to big to give me a call?

As I stated before this recall is wrong and is only an attempt to quite a man for standing up for the rule of law and if people really want Russell Pearce out then the time to do it is during the primary or general elections. These people don't care that those in LD18 elected Russell. All this recall effort will do it show those who don't support immigration laws and the rule of law. People will not be anonymous when it comes to the petitions, everybody will know.

Russell Pearce Recall Wrong!

Is a recall of Russell Pearce the best thing for Mesa and Legislative District 18? I think NOT!

This recall isn’t about a moral or ethical issue as a recall is intended, but is simply an attempt to punish a man for standing up for the rule of law, and the constitution. It is also intended to send a message to others who support immigration issues, and that is watch out or you are next.

In fact many of those supporting the recall effort by providing funding and those gathering signatures don’t even reside in LD18 or have an interest in seeing that we have a voice in the Senate, they are only interested in shutting up Russell Pearce.

Now I know that there are those who disagree with me and will say that I’m just carrying Russell Pearce's water; people have actually said that to me. People will also say that because I support the rule of law that I'm insensitive to the illegals and their plight. The the fact of the matter is, I probably understand their plight better than those pushing the recall.

As a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I served a mission in Uruguay, and prior to that I lived in Sao Paulo Brazil and witnessed first-hand people coming to the door seeking food. Now as property manager I see the struggle the illegals go through to support their family. I don’t lay any blame on them or their desire for a better life for their family and neither does Russell. If anything, my heart goes out to them and their struggles, but there is a right way and a wrong way to help them. We don't help anybody by ignoring the law.

There are those that say Russell Pearce’s stand on immigration has hurt the LDS church of which he is member and that is why some members of the church including attorney Chad Snow, chairman for the recall effort, have come out against Russell. That is also why they are attempting to recruit an LDS West Mesa Republican to run against him, someone who can be seen as being supportive and sympathetic to the cause and plight of the illegals. 

Mr. Snow has said that Mr. Pearce doesn’t represent the values of LDS people or their faith. There is one problem with this; one of The Articles of Faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints say: We believe is being subject to Kings, presidents, rulers and magistrates, in obeying, honoring and sustaining the law. Right now the law of the land makes it illegal to be here with out the proper documentation.

Mr. Snow has also said that Mr. Pearce and SB1070 have hurt the state’s economy. But I beg to ask the question is it the passage of SB1070 that has sent the state’s economy upside down or was it years of mismanagement of state funds by Janet Napalitano, the national debt, the housing bubble or the Federal Reserve? I would say that it is the latter not SB1070.

Mr. Snow says that Russell doesn’t represent the values of Republicans, I would ask Mr. Snow to take a look at the Republican plat form and then ask the question again. Russell Pearce represents the values of the Republican Party better than most elected official do.

Mr. Pearce does represent my values and those of my family and neighbors, he does represent less government, personal freedom, personal responsibility, free enterprise and the rule of law. Are those values yours? If so then he also represents you.

You may not agree with Russell Pearce on every issue and I wouldn't expect you too and maybe you would do things differently if you had the spot light on immigration but you are don't. To go after a man and his family for standing up for what he or she believes to be right, is wrong. Just because you disagree with him or her DOES NOT RISE TO THE LEVEL OF A RECALL.

If you don't want or like the way some is representing you then you have the option of voting against them in the next election. The election is the place to vote somebody in or out or office not at a recall.

Nothing good can come from this recall effort. In fact it will do more to hurt than to heal the division with in LD18 and the City of Mesa over illegal immigration. Just look at the last elections in LD18 and the other legislative district and you can see what happened and the division they cause. You think it is bad now just wait.

Immigration Around the World?

We hear a lot about immigration and the debate around it. We hear how those opposed to open borders it and those for open boarders accuse each other and name call each other. There never seems to be a solution to the problem.

The United States of America is not the only country struggling with illegal immigration. The Arizona Republic has put together a overview of what other countries are struggling with as far as immigration goes. I think it give a good prospective on immigration around the world.

One thing I did find lacking was a discussion of view of Mexico's immigration problems. I also think the piece could have shown how other countries including Mexico treat those whom they find in their countries illegally. I guess would be that the United States treats illegals pretty well, including Arizona, and the MCSO.

Read the Republics Story here.

Utah Compact & City of Mesa, Yes or No

The Arizona Republic's editorial board yesterday wrote an opinion piece which they published. In it they referred to the City of Mesa recent Human Relations Advisory board meeting where time was given to the Utah Compact. They expressed their opinion that the time is right in Arizona for a similar compact and that the City of Mesa should lead the charge for two main reasons:

1. Law maker recently shot down 5 immigration bills in the legislature
2. Because 60 business leaders signed a letter.

They also referred to the need for more civility in the discussions, referencing Tom Horn being accosted by protesters at a press conference and the attorney general being called a liar, and a racist by La Raza supporters.

While I can agree with the editorial board on the principle that there needs to be more civility and less name calling, I don't think that it is in the best interest for the City of Mesa to endorse or appear to endorse a Utah style compact.

I attended the meeting and while waiting in line I listened to a conversation between two people. The interesting part was that neither side was listening to what the other side was saying. They were both so interested in defending their position that they couldn't see the points being made. Both sides had valid points. One side was talking about the need for compassion while the other the side was talking about the need to obey the laws of the land, both sides had valid points. Unfortunately neither side was listening to what the other was saying, they were to busy formulating their defense.

Until both sides on the immigration debate can step back and acknowledge the validity of the other sides arguments nothing is going to get accomplished. We have to agree to disagree on some points and work on the points we agree upon.

Immigration is an issue that is divisive, it is not something that pulls people together but drives a wedge. The City of Mesa should be working to bring people together as a community not dividing the community. For the City of Mesa to endorse, sign onto or show support one way or another for a Utah style compact would be for them to drive an existing wedge even deeper making the dived wider.

In reality the City of Mesa doesn't have power or authority to change the constitution of the United States and neither do to they have the power or authority to change Arizona constitution. The only thing the city has power or authority to do is take the laws already on the books, develop policy and ordinances that do not violate the law, and making the city policies and ordinances more restrictive within those confines.

Is This What Civility Looks Like In The Immigration Debate?

This didn't happen here in Mesa, but it goes to show how uncivil the immigration debate has become.

Mesa, Illegal Immigration & Russell Pearce

Mesa's Political Controversy on Illegal Immigration

One of Mesa Arizona's most noteworthy and controversal politician is Russell Pearce, a stanch supporter of protecting our freedoms through the enforcement of our laws. Senator Pearce has a no holds approach when it comes to illegal immigration, if you're in this country illegally then you need to go home and come back the right way, which is to follow the laws. I would say, a lot of people love him, some people like him and others hate him. No matter which side of the table you are on, you know where you stand with Russell Pearce on illegal immigration, this is more than can be said for some of the other politicians in Mesa.

Senate Bill 1070