Thread: UT-Utah faith leaders urge repeal of SB81

Utah faith leaders urge repeal of SB81

By Peggy Fletcher Stack
The Salt Lake Tribune
Updated: 07/01/2009 09:58:59 AM MDT

During interfaith service, they express solidarity with undocumented immigrants.

SALT LAKE-Catholic, Greek Orthodox and Protestant leaders gathered Tuesday evening in a Lutheran Church to pray, preach, plead and lament the passage of an immigration bill. They even called for it to be repealed.

Their words cannot stop Senate Bill 81 from taking effect today, but they hoped to provide comfort and express solidarity with Utah's undocumented immigrants.

"SB81 is a symbol of the brokenness in our community," said the Rev. Steve Klemz, pastor at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Salt Lake City who organized the interfaith service. "We lament in public because the love of God is always love of neighbor."

The bill has been touted as Utah's solution to the problem of illegal immigration, but that is a "myth," said Barbara Szweda, immigration attorney with the ACLU. "Only comprehensive federal reform can change the situation in Utah."

SB81 has created a "climate of fear in a state that has always welcomed the stranger," said Szweda, an Episcopalian. "We don't need the hate this law has spawned. We call on people of faith to seek to repeal it."

The melancholy sound of an oboe punctuated the sermons, while several speakers read biblical passages detailing God's love for the whole human family, the importance of hospitality to strangers and the importance of justice for the poor.

"Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may move every heart; that the barriers dividing us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatred cease; and that, with our divisions healed, we might live in justice and peace," prayed Anita Catron, of All Saints Episcopal Church in Salt Lake City.

Dee Rowland, of the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City, urged those in attendance to sign the "Interfaith Pledge on Immigration," which says, in part: "I will work towards just, workable and humane immigration reform."

For Klemz, immigration is a moral issue -- and a personal one.

In 2002, he married Norma Gonzalez, who had come to the United States from Mexico to care for her ailing father and stayed -- without permission.

He joined her in the bureaucratic black hole that was her effort to become a legal resident. The couple prepared a petition to the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, now part of Homeland Security. The federal government wanted to know if theirs was a marriage of convenience or a real union. They assembled scores of photos showing their family life and hundreds of letters from friends attesting to the genuineness of their marriage.

Finally, last November, supporters filled the immigration courtroom as the couple faced their future.

"They put us on administrative hold and encouraged us to go to Juarez [Mexico] and get Norma a visa," Klemz said, "but they are not actively pursuing us."

Though not conclusive, it was a relief.

During Tuesday's service, Klemz said he was speaking for all those who live in the shadows for fear of retribution.

"God's words are the word of hope," he said. "We stand with them in the place of faith."

SB81: What the law says

Law enforcement » County sheriffs are required to "make a reasonable effort" to determine the legal status of anyone jailed for a felony or for driving under the influence. If a person is a foreign national, the sheriff must find out within 48 hours if that person entered the country legally. While the law allows city patrol officers to cross-deputize and essentially work as immigration agents, no Utah municipality has agreed to do so.

Supporters say the participation of city police could help curb illegal immigration. Opponents warn it would drive major crime victims and witnesses underground.

Religion » SB81 states that as long as undocumented immigrants have been members of a faith for at least a year, church leaders may appoint them ministers or missionaries and pay living, medical and other associated costs. "The [LDS] Church has not taken a position on SB81, nor do we believe that it affects in any way the ability of members to accept callings in their local congregations," spokesman Scott Trotter said.

Religion » SB81 states that as long as undocumented immigrants have been members of a faith for at least a year, church leaders may appoint them as ministers or missionaries and pay living, medical and other associated costs. "The [LDS] Church has not taken a position on SB81, nor do we believe that it affects in any way the ability of members to accept callings in their local congregations," spokesman Scott Trotter said.

Public benefits » SB81 affects few public benefits, and only people over age 18 can be denied certain benefits based on their lack of legal status. Most public health programs, including cancer screenings and WIC, are not affected. Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program continue to require proof of legal status.

Transporting or harboring » SB81 makes anyone transporting an undocumented immigrant more than 100 miles for "commercial advantage or private financial gain" or who "knowingly conceals, harbors or shelters from detection" an undocumented immigrant guilty of a class A misdemeanor.

Employment » Only companies contracting or subcontracting with a government employer must verify legal status in the United States -- and only for workers hired after July 1, 2009. SB81 does not apply to private employers.

pstack@sltrib.com

Tribune reporter Sheena McFarland contributed to this report.

http://www.sltrib.com/utahpolitics/ci_12728381

OH SHUT-UP!
You are pathetic!

WorriedAmerican, you always give me a good laugh in the mornings! Thank you!

Originally Posted by American-ized

WorriedAmerican, you always give me a good laugh in the mornings! Thank you!

Your welcome but someone better make me laugh!

I have no doubt I'm on the "No Fly List." LOL

I've even had my states Capitol security contact me when I sent out emails to 187 State Reps. I was asking them about E-Verification and told them all I was watching them. I meant in the rolls to see how they vote, but it creeped some out.

I'm here in Maine ballistic, freaking out, and sending emails to people I shouldn't. I can't keep up with the treason our government is doing multiple times a day. They are ruining a great country and I am waiting for an Iran-style takeover by the people. Wake me up when you need help with a Revolution!

I just wrote the Teamsters to ask why they need help getting Obama not to tax health benefits.
I said, "I thought you all were in bed with Obama? Why do you need my peon help?"
I said "The Unions, Government and ACORN is now running America and I might say you are running it into the ground!"

I have ADD, what I write is what comes to me without thinking. It gets me in trouble but you know what I think.
I'm an equal oppurtunity insulter. I hated Bush as much as Obama but Obama is on the fast-track to our demise, Bush was slower.

Latino leaders advise community to follow laws -- but report harassment
SB81 » Activist worried about police enforcement.

By Nate Carlisle

The Salt Lake Tribune
Updated: 07/03/2009 08:41:43 AM MDT

Click photo to enlarge
Members of the Latino community gather Thursday at the Centro Civico Mexicano in Salt Lake for an emergency meeting to discuss the implications of SB81 now that it is law.


The day after a new Utah immigration law went into effect, community leaders on Thursday told Latinos to obey the law but report any perceived harassment or profiling by police.

SB81, among other provisions, allows police officers to become federal immigration agents, though no departments or sheriff's offices have said they will do so.

"We want to know when enforcement begins, when people are being picked up, harassed," said Tony Yapias, a Latino community activist.

Yapias and other leaders met with about 100 people at a Salt Lake City community center to discuss SB81 -- the Utah immigration law that went into effect Wednesday. Among other provisions, the law allows police officers to become federal immigration agents, though no departments or sheriff's offices have said they will do so.

But Yapias said he is afraid the mere passage of SB81 will empower police officers to ask people about their immigration status or harass immigrants. Yapias told the crowd to obey the laws, including keeping their driver license and vehicle registration up to date.

Immigration attorney Mark Alvarez told the crowd they should show their driver license and vehicle registration if stopped by police officer. But he said they do not have to discuss their immigration status.

"Everyone has the right to remain silent," Alvarez said.

Another speaker, who works for the U.S. Census Bureau, called upon Latinos to be counted in 2010.

"Our democracy is based on how many we are," said Sergio Martinez, a partnership specialist with the Census Bureau.

Martinez, who works with community groups to help encourage participation in the head count that occurs each decade, reminded the attendees the survey is kept private and cannot be used against them if they are in the country illegally.

ncarlisle@sltrib.com
http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_12742154?source=rss