Do Utah’s reps think Congress will ever fix the country’s immigration system?

WASHINGTON – On a beautiful spring day in the nation’s capital, Utah’s newest U.S. senator is busy settling into his new role. But John Curtis is not new to Washington. He’s been in Congress since 2017. During that time, Curtis has seen firsthand the failure to address immigration in any meaningful way. “I can’t tell you that I’m more frustrated about anything as much as that,” Curtis told KSL TV in an exclusive interview. “It’s one of the biggest disappointments of my time here.”This goes back long before Curtis, who was elected to the U.S. Senate in November. The last time Congress passed major immigration reform was in the 1980s. Since then, there have been many ideas about how to fix the system, some of which Curtis supports. “But right now there’s huge criticism anytime you put your name on a bill, people will find something wrong with it,” Curtis said. “I’m telling you, they come, and they want to whack your head off.” KSL TV traveled to Washington, D.C. to speak with Curtis and other members of Utah’s congressional delegation to talk about the sticky issue of immigration and whether it can ever be truly solved after decades of inaction.

What does the Utah Compact say?

Ultimately, it’s the federal government’s job to solve immigration. The Utah Compact, a document first adopted in 2010 outlining the state’s priorities on the issue, states: “We urge Utah’s congressional delegation, and others, to lead efforts to strengthen federal laws and protect our national borders.” Do Utah’s members of Congress feel the Compact, which was reaffirmed in 2019, is still relevant today?“I do,” said Rep. Burgess Owens, a Republican representing the state’s fourth congressional district. “I love the Utah Compact,” added GOP [Rep. Blake Moore](<http://Rep. Blake Moore>), who represents the first congressional district, “because it hits all the key points as far as border security. It also talks about the importance of good immigration and how it’s good for the economy, how you support families.” In fact, all four House members from Utah had similar thoughts. “I think the most relevant part of the Compact is that it recognizes that it’s a federal concern,” said Rep. Celeste Maloy, a Republican who represents the second congressional district.“We need to work on a legal immigration process, and that’s a lot of what the Utah Compact talks about is economic incentives and treating people as humans,” added Rep. Mike Kennedy, Utah’s newest Republican member of Congress. The Utah Compact calls for policies that keep families together, respect the rule of law and maintain Utah’s welcoming and business-friendly reputation. “I think the Utah model, the Utah way, would be a good place to have part of that conversation,” Owens said.

Years of inaction

But actually fixing the country’s immigration system hasn’t happened. As recently as last year, Senate Republicans killed a bipartisan bill aiming to address immigration, even though their own minority leader helped craft it. More than a decade ago, Utah legislators tried to follow up on the Utah Compact with laws allowing migrant worker visas and creating a guest worker program, but they were challenged in court on the grounds that they overstepped federal jurisdiction, and neither was ever implemented. Kennedy, who was elected to Congress in November, thinks the persistent gridlock around immigration is unfortunate.“We need a coalition of willing people able to think clearly about a really complicated issue, not continue to use it for political fundraising, as a political football,” Kennedy said. “Embarrassingly, both sides have done that over generations.” “I don’t know what it was holding it up before I got here,” added Maloy, who was elected in 2023 but worked for the previous congressman as his chief legal counsel. “But I know in the time I’ve been here, it’s been a matter of getting the border under control first, and we’re doing that.” Maloy supports President Trump who campaigned heavily on immigration, promising mass deportations. Since the president took office, illegal border crossings have fallen sharply. “We have an administration that’s controlling it,” Maloy said. KSL TV also requested an interview with Utah Sen. Mike Lee, but he never agreed to it. On social media, Utah’s senior senator has cheered the president’s immigration policies, some of which have attracted controversy like the high-profile accidental deportation of a man to El Salvador. The Trump Administration also ended a rule prohibiting immigration raids in schools, hospitals and churches. A recent Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics poll showed 58% of Utah voters opposed allowing ICE to enter schools. Utahns also opposed raids on hospitals and especially places of worship. “The Trump administration is heavily focused right now on identifying the folks that are here illegally but have committed crimes,” Moore said in response to a question about that policy change.That’s why Moore – and Owens – both feel undocumented immigrants who don’t fall in that category shouldn’t worry. “I don’t think that people should be concerned about someone coming peacefully to a church and somebody coming after them,” Owens said. “We don’t have the resources for that, and I don’t think we have the desire to do that.”

‘Watch the process’

With President Trump still newly in office, no one in Utah’s all-Republican delegation is jumping to criticize his moves on immigration. “I think it’s too soon to start saying what’s working and what’s not,” Maloy said. “Let’s watch the process play out a little bit.” Still, can the complex issues surrounding immigration ever be fixed? “I am hopeful,” said Moore. “I’m hopeful because I believe in the steps that we’re taking right now to make sure we’re getting the border under control.” “The Utah way’s always been we love having people come in – in a fashionable way, in a smart way – that are assimilating and one day will be remarkable Americans who … love our country,” Owens said. “We know how to do that, and we can bring that conversation to this process, too.” As for Curtis, he has a bigger voice now in the Senate than he did in the House, although he pointed out that his office is still located in the basement, based on his seniority in the 100-member body. But as he gains seniority – and with a bigger voice now – is he optimistic he can make a difference on this issue? “Optimistic or not,” Curtis said, “I’m going to try.”

You can watch KSL TV’s 2010 reporting of the Utah Compact and immigration policy on the KSL News YouTube channel.

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