Utah Senate Democratic Leader Senator Luz Escamilla (S.D.10), released the following statement:
“We are witnessing an increase in inaccurate information regarding our current immigration situation, a significant issue facing our state and nation. It is crucial that we approach this complex topic with accurate terminology. Elected officials have the responsibility and should have respect for their constituencies by not perpetuating the spread of false or inaccurate information.
At the beginning of the legal asylum-seeking process, individuals must present themselves at a border or port of entry to seek safety. Under the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act and international treaties, asylum seekers have the right to have their claims heard. The distinction between “undocumented immigrants” and those “in process” is crucial. When asylum seekers arrive at the border, they begin a lawful process that must be respected.
As our state learns how to adapt and assist asylum-seeking individuals and families, it is essential for elected officials to use accurate information responsibly and avoid rhetoric for political gains. Instead, we should seek practical and timely policy solutions to address these issues and continue to demand comprehensive immigration reforms from Congress and the federal government.
Referring to people as “illegal” is incorrect, dehumanizing, and fosters a narrative that their very existence is criminal. These terms perpetuate harmful misconceptions. Asylum-seeking families arriving at our borders are fleeing extreme danger and arelegally entitled to apply for protection under U.S. immigration law. This rhetoric contradicts Utah’s values and our own history of welcoming families seeking refuge from persecution, such as the pioneers. We must rise above divisive rhetoric and instead engage in constructive dialogue that reflect the Utah way”.
