Thread: UT: First-year legislator co-sponsoring immigration bill

First-year legislator co-sponsoring immigration bill

By Loretta Park
Standard-Examiner Davis Bureau
Last updatedWednesday, February 2, 2011 - 10:28pm

SALT LAKE CITY -- A local freshman representative is keeping his promise to his constituents by co-sponsoring a Senate bill dealing with immigration.
"During my campaign, I heard from my voters they want something done, and that is the message they delivered to me loud and clear," Rep. Jeremy Peterson, R-Ogden, said during a news conference Wednesday at the Capitol.

Peterson, who represents District 9, or downtown Ogden, is the co-sponsor of Senate Bill 60, which was introduced at the news conference. The Senate sponsor of the bill is Sen. Luz Robles, D-Salt Lake City.

Peterson said he has reviewed a number of bills slated for this session dealing with immigration and chose to be the co-sponsor of Robles' bill because it uses a "carrot approach," not a "stick approach."

He said many of the other bills he has seen are "strictly enforcement," while this bill encourages those who are in Utah illegally to apply and pay for accountability cards, take English and civics courses and pay income taxes, and prohibits the person from receiving social or public welfare benefits.

Robles and Peterson said their bill would allow the state to get a handle on illegal immigration until the federal government devises an overall solution to the issue.

Peterson said he received two messages from those he spoke to as he went door to door before the November election.

Voters "wanted something done concerning the immigration issue to stem the hordes of people crossing our borders," Peterson said. The second message was, "Voters also wanted to protect their neighbors and friends who live in our community."

About 50 percent of the residents in Peterson's district are Hispanic, he said.

Peterson said Robles' bill recognizes undocumented immigrants are living in the state.

Robles said she does not support House Bill 70, sponsored by Rep. Stephen Sandstrom, R-Orem, which is similar to legislation passed last year by Arizona.

Peterson also said he does not favor a bill that mirrors the Arizona law because the law has caused that state some economic damage.

"This bill is sensible, and it eliminates those who want to be idle, the criminal element," Peterson said. "If people want to work and cause no harm, then there are incentives to be here."

Peterson said he believes because he won the November election, defeating incumbent Rep. Neil Hansen by 187 votes, he has also won some respect with lawmakers.

He said he has had discussions with many of them concerning Robles' bill in the past week. A few have disparaged it, while others said they want to hear more about it.

"This will be an adventure," Peterson said.

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What an idiot! This bill is the worst idea in human history. Robles wants to give illegals permission to break immigration laws. Is that what your district wants? Amnesty? Considering that your district is full of illegals I would say Yes. I hope this is your last term as well.

About 50 percent of the residents in Peterson's district are Hispanic, he said.

So, once again Hispanics are more important than LEGAL citizens! I hope people are as outraged about this as I am, this moron will be hearing from me today!

well
I see he want the illegal immigrant In why Mexico is more then American. from what have see. why they work cheap? & the company
Is getting a cut? why the Illegal immirgrant work under the table ?
Az you have best law going keep it up
No Amnesty

About 50 percent of the residents in Peterson's district are Hispanic, he said.

Peterson said Robles' bill recognizes undocumented immigrants are living in the state.

In other words, the reconquista is moving along as planned and this lawmaker is going to give them a hand. I guess they can no longer be considered illegal if they are granted special privileges. This isn't my idea of "doing something" regarding the "hordes" of illegal invaders moving across our border.

But hey, what do I know, my State of California is just about conquered. I guess Utah will be right behind us.

"This bill is sensible, and it eliminates those who want to be idle, the criminal element," Peterson said. "If people want to work and cause no harm, then there are incentives to be here."

I don't understand. Is this bill going to grant illegal invaders some sort of legal right to work in Utah? I thought only the federal gov can control immigration. Isn't that the excuse obama used when hauling Arizona into court? So how can Utah extend any privileges to illegal invaders without infringing upon federal law? Shouldn't the DOJ be preparing their complaint in the event this does become law?

here is Senate bill 60

http://le.utah.gov/~2011/htmdoc/sbillhtm/SB0060.htm