D News Makes Stuff Up

I hadn’t seen this D News editorial until today. Apparently, I’m an evil simpleton because I raise questions regarding the cost of educating illegal aliens.

First off, I’m not quite sure how they conclude that I’m a Johnny-one-note “throw-the-bums-out” on immigration. As far as I recall, I haven’t ever spoken with anyone at the D News about my ideas on immigration. My ideas actually are quite a bit more nuanced than “throw the bums out.” Though I do want to throw out bums (e.g., murderers, drug dealers, and other bad actors), I’d like to give law-abiding workers an honest path to citizenship. Did I ever suggest we stop educating children who are here illegally? No. Just that we inform Congress of the burden. So, I’d guess the D News wanted to attack a strawman, and just attached my name to it.

Second, I guess the editorial board can’t read or do basic research. Contrary to their assertion, the audit report we examined in committee clearly did mention the Texas study. The audit report stated that many governmental services are funded at the local level in Texas. By not analyzing those costs, the Texas study understated the costs associated with illegal immigration by $1.44 billion – a little factoid that a better editorial board would not have fudged.

Third, as the D News states, ITINs are issued to illegal immigrants. But, to get a job, open a bank account or establish credit, these same people often are asked to produce 2 forms of i.d. What does the D News have to say about where that other form of i.d. comes from? Nothing. The answer is that it often comes from identity theft, which adversely affects thousands of Utahns.

So maybe facts, financial implications and crimes relating to illegal immigration aren't important to the D News. Whatever. Everyone is entitled to an opinion.

The editorial concludes with this: “But then this argument isn't about taxes or education. The motives behind the hostility against school children, in fact, feel more angry and emotional than fact-based.” I’d agree that most of the “dialogue” on illegal immigration is “more angry and emotional than fact [sic] based.” To that end, I’d invite the D News to be a bit more cheery and to do a little research. True dialogue on a complex issue requires some sophistication of thought, not a bunch of hackneyed drivel slopped on paper.

The D News editorial board does not have moral superiority because it believes we should ignore the issue of illegal immigration. Board members simply have an opinion -- one that is simplistic and not tethered to a factual basis. My opinion is that illegal immigration is an important issue and should be addressed. How should we address it? I'm searching for options; that isn't accomplished by outlawing dialogue and inquiry.