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SALT LAKE CITY -- A freshman Republican who is a member of the conservative Patrick Henry Caucus has agreed to champion a Democratic senator's illegal immigration bill in the Utah House.
Rep. Jeremy Peterson, R-Ogden, will co-sponsor Sen. Luz Robles' proposal for accountability and state-issued work permits for undocumented immigrants. Robles, D-Salt Lake, and Peterson held a news conference Wednesday to announce the alliance.
Bill centers around immigrant workers
Peterson said this bill is a "good marriage" between enforcement and providing for the state's economic needs. He says undocumented immigrant workers do have an economic impact in this state.
Under the bill, undocumented immigrants would be required to obtain a permit to work in Utah. To do that, they'd have to learn English, be fingerprinted, pass a criminal background check and pay a fee.
I felt this piece of legislation best addresses the issues voters want to have addressed and does so in a fair and vigorous way.
–Rep. Jeremy Peterson
"We're taking an approach of wanting to know who they are by having them register," Robles said. "Having them go through a criminal background check, which many of them maybe have never been through a criminal background check, we think it's important."
"Our public safety will not be impacted in a negative way that we see now, where we just don't know who is here, or what their intents are," Peterson said. "The bar is set high in order to be a part of the program and to be a part of the work force."
The law also includes a registration program for businesses. They must document that they are hiring only workers with permits. If companies don't comply, they are subject to increasingly large fines.
Other immigration measures on docket for 2011 session
Although lawmakers haven't said much about illegal immigration in the first eight days of the 45-day legislative session, the debate appears ready to ignite.
Veteran Sen. Curt Bramble, R-Provo, has opened a bill file titled "immigration reform" and is already attempting to piece together a single plan. He took the same tack six years ago for getting the driving privilege card approved for illegal immigrants.
There are currently eight immigration bills drafted or in the works, including Orem GOP Rep. Stephen Sandstrom's enforcement-only proposal (H.B. 70), two seeking guest worker programs and one penalizing businesses for knowingly hiring illegal immigrants (H.B. 253). The deadline to file new bills is noon Thursday.
"I think Sen. Robles' bill has some traction. I think Rep. Sandstrom's bill has some traction. There are some other bills that have traction," said Senate President Michael Waddoups, R-West Jordan.
"I'm not sure Robles' or Sandstrom's bills will pass," he said, "but I know we're going to pass something with immigration this session."
While Senate Republicans favor a comprehensive approach, House Republicans want to let the bills stand on their own merits for a vote. The GOP controls both chambers.
Robles said her bill, S.B. 60, is comprehensive enough, but she isn't opposed to talking.
"We think it's a good start," she said. "We're willing to sit at the table."
Whatever road lawmakers take, Peterson said, "it will be an adventure getting there."
But one thing is certain: "The voters wants something done. That was loud and clear (while) campaigning," said Peterson, whose central Ogden district is 50 percent Hispanic. "I felt this piece of legislation best addresses the issues voters want to have addressed and does so in a fair and vigorous way."
Peterson isn't the only conservative voice for Robles' bill. The Sutherland Institute, a right-leaning political think tank, has backed it from the beginning.
If there is going to be a cobbling of bills, Robles' plan would be the best platform to work from, said Paul Mero, Sutherland executive director.
"I feel it is a 'Utah solution.' The solution has to be comprehensive, it can't just touch one component," Mero said. "Besides Sandstrom's bill, the second worst thing we could do is a pass a guest worker bill."
One major question about this piece of legislation is how much would it cost. The sponsors say the costs of administering the program would be paid for by those permit fees.
A projected cost -- the fiscal note, in legislative terms -- is expected to be released by the end of the week.
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Story compiled with contributions from Dennis Romboy, John Daley and Andrew Adams.
