Editor’s Note: Mark Alvarez, an attorney who served in the administration of former Salt Lake City mayor Rocky Anderson, offers another on-point commentary on the issue of immigration reform.

What should the U.S. government do to unauthorized immigrants? What can Utah do? What would you do?

The Pew Hispanic Center estimates that 12 million unauthorized aliens live in the U.S. Approximately 110 thousand live in Utah. Some people insist on referring to unauthorized aliens as “illegals.” Fine for the purpose of argument.

A central question for immigration reform is: how should the U.S. government treat illegals? Opposing answers are 1. Legalize them all and 2. Deport them all. Is compromise possible? Could work history, community history, taxpaying history and time living in the U.S, be considered? Are illegals all the same?

The population of illegals in Utah grew with 1990s road projects, preparation for the 2002 Olympic Games, the construction boom and a prospering economy. Illegals helped Utah businesses and government meet the need for labor. Illegals comprise approximately 5.4 percent of the U.S. workforce. They likely comprise a higher percentage in Utah.

Illegals plainly boosted economic growth during the last 15 years. Many worked long hours for little pay. They provided products and services to Utahns at low prices. Equally as clear, illegals competed with legal workers in the U.S. Wages for certain jobs stagnated.

Consequences of illegal immigration have been mixed. Consumers have benefitted through lower prices (consider $4 apples and more expensive homes). Semi-skilled and unskilled workers have suffered although some gained opportunities for promotion.

Immigration reform because of its nature and the U.S. Constitution must come from the federal government. Elected officials of all parties show little courage in genuinely resolving the issue, yet the question remains: what should be done with the illegals?

A population of 12 million nationwide and 110 thousand statewide will not vanish. Illegals have made lives for themselves in diverse places from St. George to Logan and Green River to Wendover. Most of their children are U.S. citizens.

Illegals cannot easily come out and reveal themselves; however, some certainly have helped build houses across Utah, care for the physically and mentally ill, clean offices and residences, assist at community events and make their neighborhoods better places to live. While some illegals have caused problems, a recent Sutherland Institute report indicated that they did not present greater criminal challenges for Utah police.

Illegals likely are as vulnerable to crime as any other population, yet some feel uncertainty about reporting problems to the police. Common sense suggests that greater communication and cooperation between the police and illegals would more optimally serve Utah than perceived persecution.

The status quo in Utah leaves 110 thousand illegals struggling for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. On all sides, the immigration issue has been exploited, perhaps prolonged, for political benefit, greater audiences, fund raising, profit and payback. Meanwhile, 12 million illegals in a land of liberty find unalienable rights uncertain, maybe unattainable.

By definition, illegals live in violation of immigration law. But must a well-meaning people, government and state persist in making their lives less than human?

What should we do with the illegals?