A bit of luck for undocumented immigrants? by AD, Nowy Dziennik, 2011-03-11, Translated from Polish by Aleksandra Slabisz.

Utah's legislature plans to introduce a visitor workers program for undocumented immigrants may be of historical significance. All the more so since the initiative, which may solve many problems the nation is facing now, has been proposed by Republicans.

For many years the GOP has been blocking attempts to introduce immigration reform, thus preventing legalizing the status of people who are now living in the United States without proper documentation. Conservative factions have torpedoed all initiatives leading to the legalization of the undocumented regardless of whether they were backed by President George W. Bush or such influential legislators as Senator John McCain (R-AZ). Now, this bold project sponsored by both state chambers, which are controlled by the Republicans, may change the dynamics of the battle for the future of millions of illegal immigrants, although so far only in Utah.

The legislation aims at reconciling fire with water. One the one hand, it strives at neutralizing immigrants' intransigent enemies because it mandates that the state and local police check the immigration status of those who have been arrested for a crime or serious violations. This also would quiet widespread concerns provoked by anti-immigration propaganda that foreigners feed into the ranks of criminals who break the law and endanger the public order.

On the other hand, the initiative constitutes a milestone in the efforts to cope with the problem – so far unsolved – of integrating undocumented immigrants to the American society. The legislation would offer the opportunity for the undocumented to obtain a legal job. The measure would put an end to separating families and guarantee employment for immigrants living in Utah with a clean criminal record provided that they pay a fine of $2500 and learn English.

The new regulation would break away from a strict approach to illegal immigrants, for which Arizona has become a symbol. It would also benefit businesses and farms that – in spite of high unemployment – cannot find workers.

Paradoxically, the future of the legislation that comes from one of the most conservative states and which may make life easier for many immigrants and their families depends now on the Democratic administration of President Barack Obama. We don't know what his team is going to do. Washington undermined the controversial legislation in Arizona, arguing that the state had overstepped the boundaries taking on federal competencies. How will Obama's administration react now?

The problem is rather complicated and will undeniably provoke a storm. A federal administration approval for Utah's proposal would be controversial after it discredited Arizona's law. The Utah proposal could be a godsend for undocumented immigrants, for others, it could mean hell; also it could lead to even greater polarization in a nation already divided over the issue of immigration.

It looks like we can't do without a comprehensive immigration reform.