Opponents of an Arizona-type immigration law

City, state and political leaders on both sides of the immigration issue have weighed in with their thoughts and feelings about an Arizona-type immigration law in Utah.

These individuals have spoken out against such a law.

**Mark Shurtleff, Utah Attorney General** *"If we start doing what Arizona's doing -- I'm sorry, but it's seen as an anti-Latino, anti-Mexican. I think we have to have a counter proposal to what some legislators are proposing to do in Arizona."* -[AG Shurtleff proposing Utah-specific guest-worker program](http://www.ksl.com/?sid=11364983&nid=148) **Chris Burbank, Salt Lake City Chief of Police** *"Any time that we engage in policing based on race, based on ethnicity, language, gender -- there's a whole list of things, but if we're taking enforcement action, using those as criteria for taking different enforcement action with different people, that's wrong. We should profile or be involved in behavior."* -[Police chief, legislator battle over illegal immigration in Utah](http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=10598798) **Jim Matheson, U.S. Representative** *"Bad idea on two counts. This is a federal issue and it is unfortunate that federal action hasn't taken place but I don't think states should be trying to set immigration policy. I don't think it is practical. Secondly, the substance of the law is wrong too. As out chief of police here in salt lake city has said this is going to create greater crime, is going to create greater problems for law enforcement. It is an emotional and in some respects I would say an irrational response to this situation. I do not want to diminish the importance of border security issues and there are some serious issues in Arizona, and I think that has created the emotion that has perhaps manifest itself in this law, but I don't think it is a law in the right direction."* -[Democratic 2nd Congressional District Debate](http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=750&sid=11222139) **Orrin Hatch, U.S. Senator** *"I don't think you can do a whole immigration bill without first making clear that you're going to take care of the border first. Would this bill be good for Utah? I don't think so. I'd prefer us not having it."* -[Hatch: Arizona immigration law not good for Utah](http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=10917444) **State Sen. Luz Robles, D-Salt Lake** *"I don't think they're analyzing it from a policy perspective; and from a compassionate and human perspective, it's not right.I really don't even know if it's a tactic of fear or a tactic of really just not caring any more about the U.S. Constitution."* -[Lawmaker blasts colleagues for support of Ariz. immigration law](http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=10555071) **Peter Corroon, Mayor of Salt Lake County** *"While some are pushing for an Arizona-like solution for Utah, I am concerned with the Arizona law for constitutional reasons, and our state prison system is inadequately funded to handle an influx of non-dangerous offenders."* -[Corroon says he doesn't support immigration law for Utah](http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=11498642) **Ralph Becker, Mayor of Salt Lake City** *"Our first job, first and foremost, is to protect our community and have people feel secure and safe in our community, and to do that without discriminating."* -[Salt Lake police chief to talk immigration with US attorney general](http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=10917006) **Karen Hyer, Candidate for U.S. Congress** *"I believe comprehensive immigration reform, done right, is the only way we'll get complete control of our borders and be able to fully and consistently enforce our laws."* -[Democratic challenger attacks Rep. Jason Chaffetz on immigration](http://archive.deseretnews.com/article/700047560/Democratic-challenger-attacks-Rep-Jason-Chaffetz-on-immigration.html) **Paul Mero, President of the Sutherland Institute** *"Arizona is now a police state after passing a new anti-illegal immigration law, and Utah should not adopt 'Arizona-style justice.'"* **Tony Yapias, Proyecto Latino de Utah** *"There's no need for Utah to do anything. What Utah and the rest of the country needs is comprehensive immigration reform that works for all of us."* -[Gov. Herbert plans to move forward with state immigration reform](http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=11396484) **Bishop John C. Wester, Utah Catholic Diocese** *"It does smack of those with a different color skin, those with an accent; those are going to be the ones who are going to be detained."* -[Local Catholic leader concerned over immigration legislation](http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=10564146) **Salt Lake City Council***"The Council also said it agrees that having local law enforcement agencies enforce federal immigration laws presents challenges to local police agencies and may ultimately result in unintended consequences including racial profiling, restricted freedom for all individuals, and general mistrust in the community."* **ACLU of Utah***"Arizona's new law is a watershed moment for its blatant disregard of America's most fundamental values of fairness and equality. Only a vigorous rejection of this dangerous, un-American law will prevent it from spreading to other states."* **Jonathan Blazer, National Immigration Law Center***"The Arizona model is really a 'race to the bottom' model to see just how onerous life can be made for immigrants."* -[Lawmakers in 28 states, including Utah, fight spread of Arizona immigration law](http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=11380224) **President Barack Obama** *"Our failure to act responsibly at the federal level will only open the door to irresponsibility by others. In fact, I've instructed members of my administration to closely monitor the situation and examine the civil rights and other implications of this legislation. But if we continue to fail to act at a federal level, we will continue to see misguided efforts opening up around the country."* -[Obama says politics to blame for immigration delay](http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=11358835&nid=153)