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SALT LAKE CITY -- Three Utah lawmakers will travel to Arizona next week to learn about immigration issues.
House Speaker David Clark of Santa Clara, Rep. Stephen Sandstrom of Orem and Rep. Paul Ray of Clinton will head to the U.S.-Mexico border on Monday. All are Republicans.
"We're going down there to meet with the people that are on the front-line battle with illegal immigration," Ray says.
Utah lawmakers next session are expected to consider immigration similar to that passed in Arizona that has sparked a national controversy.
Ray says the group plans to hold a town hall meeting with ranchers. The lawmakers also hope to meet with local law enforcement and Arizona officials.
The representatives say Utah taxpayers are not footing the bill for this trip.
"Everyone of us that are going have paid for this on our own," Ray says.
The Arizona law these lawmakers are looking at requires that police conducting traffic stops or questioning people about possible legal violations ask them about their immigration status if there is "reasonable suspicion" that they're in the country illegally. It takes effect July 29.
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Story compiled with contributions from The Associated Press and KSL's Adam Thomas.