Major whining, crying, stomping of feet and gnashing of teeth by the La Raza Tribune, errr, I mean Salt Lake Tribune:

Immigration bill: Anti-immigration legislation a bad idea
Tribune Editorial
Article Last Updated: 02/26/2008 11:45:09 PM MST

Just like Utah's estimated 100,000 undocumented residents, Utah Senate Bill 81, an omnibus anti-immigration bill, won't go away.

But unlike the vast majority of immigrants, who make valuable contributions to our culture and our economy, nothing good can come from this misguided, discriminatory legislation.

The far-reaching measure, introduced by Sen. John "Bill" Hickman, R-St. George, was approved by the Senate in a 24-5 vote Monday, and sent to the House for consideration.

There have been a few changes made to soften the cold, hard bill.

Churches and humanitarian organizations have been held harmless for providing food, clothing and other charitable aid to undocumented residents. Religious leaders, including officials with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, have urged lawmakers to show compassion, and remember that undocumented immigrants are human beings.

And a section that would have denied in-state college tuition rates for the children of undocumented Utahns was removed. These children, the best and brightest of the newly arrived, should not be punished for the acts of their parents, but House Bill 241 is keeping that ill-conceived idea alive.

But dangerous provisions remain that would threaten public safety, jeopardize landlords and employers, and make life more difficult for people who are simply pursuing the American dream.

The bill would establish what amounts to a "don't ask, don't tell" policy regarding renting property to undocumented residents. Landlords could be charged with a Class A misdemeanor if they knowingly, or "in reckless disregard of the facts," rent to aliens.

It requires public employers, and their contractors and subcontractors, to verify the work eligibility status of new employees. This could result in manpower shortages that jeopardize the prompt completion of projects, and increase costs for taxpayers.

And it would force state and local law enforcement officials to enforce federal customs and immigrations law, resulting in racial profiling and breaking the delicate bonds between immigrant communities and police officers, who rely on the cooperation of victims and witnesses to do their jobs.

On the plus side, a last-minute Senate amendment delayed the effective date of the bill until July 2009. This would buy opponents some time to seek a repeal.
http://www.sltrib.com:80/opinion/ci_8370374