Thread: UT: Lawmakers take tough stance

Lawmakers take tough stance
By Jennifer W. Sanchez
The Salt Lake Tribune
Article Last Updated: 03/06/2008 04:22:18 AM MST


Evelin Damian, 17, center, flanked by Cecilia Izarraraz,... (Chris Detrick/The Salt Lake Tribune) .

Lawmakers introduced about 20 proposals related to immigration - the highest number ever brought forward on the issue - but only a handful will end up on the governor's desk.

Proposals that passed included: a comprehensive immigration bill that would allow some officers to enforce immigration law and that would force some employers to verify that their workers can legally work in the United States; a bill that would slap stronger restrictions on driving-privilege cards for undocumented immigrants; and a measure that would mandate that the state seek reimbursement from the federal government for costs tied to illegal immigration.

Ronald Mortensen, a spokesman for Utah Coalition on Illegal Immigration, comprised of seven anti-illegal-immigration groups, said "we're very pleased" that lawmakers took a strong stand on the issue, including cracking down on identity theft.

"It puts Utah on the map," he said, "by saying Utah doesn't plan on being a magnet state for illegal immigration."

SB81, sponsored by Sen. Bill Hickman, R-St. George, incorporated several measures already introduced by lawmakers and, after a few amendments, won veto-proof majorities in the House and Senate. Among other things, it would make it a class A misdemeanor to conceal, harbor, transport or shelter undocumented immigrants but an amendment was made to exempt charitable or humanitarian assistance. It would take effect July 2009.

HB171 would bar people who sell alcoholic beverages from accepting driving-privilege cards as evidence of a person's age and gun dealers from accepting them as a form of identification. It also would require the Driver License Division to suspend a driving card if a person's vehicle registration is revoked.

Rep. Glenn Donnelson, R-North Ogden, attempted to repeal driving-privilege cards (HB239) and in-state college tuition for eligible undocumented students (HB241). Both bills passed the House but faltered in the Senate.

Lawmakers also created a task force to investigate current and proposed federal and state laws and policies on illegal immigration.

And the Legislature backed two resolutions urging Utah's congressional delegation to oppose amnesty but pass "effective and meaningful immigration reform."
jsanchez@sltrib.com

A good start, but are they also working to prevent illegals from voting?
Do they have a plan for Voter ID? Or can anybody vote simply by affirming they are a citizen?

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