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SALT LAKE CITY -- Cities and counties fear enforcing Rep. Stephen Sandstrom's proposed illegal immigration law would slice into already strapped budgets and divert police from other important duties.
"How hard is it going to hit us? What is the cost?" asked Bountiful Police Chief Tom Ross. "Daily we're having to juggle resources. I don't look to take on a new challenge if we don't have to."
In passing immigration reform, the financial burden of enhanced enforcement ought not to be balanced on the backs of local government.
–Gov. Gary Herbert
#Herbert_q
In figures released Monday, the Legislative Fiscal Analysts Office estimates House Bill 70 would cost local governments $5.3 million to $11.3 million a year to enforce.
The law would require local police agencies to verify the legal status of people they detain for other offenses if the officer has "reasonable suspicion" they are in the country illegally. Those found to have a criminal record would be referred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Those with a clean background would be fingerprinted, photographed and released.
Ross estimates it would take one of his officers 3 and a half hours to process someone in a so-called catch-and-release situation, including having to drive to the Davis County Jail and filing a written report.
"Our biggest concern is just that segment that's going to be the revolving door segment," he said.
Members of the Utah League of Cities and Towns shared their concerns with Sandstrom, R-Orem, in an hour-long meeting at the Capitol. Municipal officials raised questions about enforcement costs, police priorities and potential lawsuits.
The league neither supports nor opposes the bill.
"It's hard to take a position on a bill that's a moving target," said executive director Ken Bullock.
Sandstrom said he has revised the bill nine times and even considered revisions as he fielded questions from municipal officials.
I thoroughly, truly believe this will save the state money in the long run.
–Rep. Stephen Sandstrom
#sandstrom_q
"It shouldn't be an unfunded mandate," said Salt Lake City Councilman Carlton Christensen.
Gov. Gary Herbert, who met with Sandstrom on Monday, has taken the same stance. One of his six guiding principles for immigration reform is to not saddle cities and counties with unfunded mandates.
"In passing immigration reform, the financial burden of enhanced enforcement ought not to be balanced on the backs of local government," the governor said after the meeting.
Sandstrom said he is considering at least two ways to offset enforcement costs to cities and towns.
One is to impose a 1 percent or minimum $5 fee on all wire transfers of money from Utah to foreign countries, with proceeds going to local police agencies. The fee would be refunded on state income tax returns.
Sandstrom reasoned that many illegal immigrants send money home but don't file tax returns. He said he also may propose a $20 fee on driving privilege cards.
"What's the cost of doing nothing?" Sandstrom said, adding his bill would reduce crime and such things as medical care costs. "I thoroughly, truly believe this will save the state money in the long run."
Legislative number crunchers figure the bill would cost the Utah Department of Public Safety $569,700 annually to detain and verify immigration and status and the Utah Attorney General's Office $143,400 to defend potential lawsuits.
City and county officials questioned the use of the broad term "reasonable suspicion," saying it could lead to costly lawsuits by people wrongfully detained.
Tony Yapis, director of Proyecto Latino de Utah, called Sandstrom's bill "irresponsible" in a time of economic hardship. "It is too expensive and money state and local governments don't have," he said.
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Story written by Dennis Romboy, with contributions from Lisa Riley Roche.
