This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2007, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

A group of state governors, including Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., is calling on the U.S. Senate to pass immigration reform.

The Western Governors' Association sent Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid a letter last week urging the Senate "to pass comprehensive immigration reform legislation as soon as possible." The letter - signed by Huntsman and Govs. Janet Napolitano and Arnold Schwarzenegger - was also sent to several U.S. House and Senate leaders.

The Senate voted Tuesday to continue debate over S.1639, the most recent immigration reform proposal.

The letter states: "This policy should have the overarching purpose of protecting and preserving the safety and interests of the United States and its citizens while recognizing our nation's economic needs to have a stable and legal supply of workers where there are no willing United States workers otherwise available."

The organization's Web site is at http://www.westgov.org

- Jennifer W. Sanchez