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SALT LAKE CITY -- A group of lawmakers is coming out against a proposed immigration bill that closely resembles the one in Arizona.
These lawmakers say the bill on the table is flawed right from the start. Their main concern is that Utah simply cannot fund this type of legislation.
"This is going to cost a lot of money we don't have," says Democratic Sen. Luz Robles.
Robles says she knows the bottom line always matters. She is part of a group that doesn't support the latest immigration bill.
This is very fiscally irresponsible. There's absolutely no way we're going to put this type of unfunded mandates on our local law enforcement and municipalities.
–Sen. Luz Robles
Rep. Stephen Sandstrom, R-Orem, unveiled his proposal on Friday in the midst of dozens of protesters. The core intent of the bill is much like Arizona's illegal immigration crackdown law. It would require law enforcement to check citizenship status, but only as a secondary offense.
Sandstrom says his bill discourages racial profiling by stating race is not probable cause. There are also extra status checks to qualify for entitlements, and law enforcement agencies that don't crack down could face a $5,000-a-day fine.
"This is a tough, hard-hitting bill that in some ways goes further than the Arizona law in curbing illegal immigration in our state," Sandstrom said at the bill's unveiling.
Opposing lawmakers say Utah cannot afford the bill's cost, especially with all the cuts they're having to make come session time. Robles says the state would have to spend precious dollars and resources for local police agencies to enforce immigration laws.
"This is very fiscally irresponsible. There's absolutely no way we're going to put this type of unfunded mandates on our local law enforcement and municipalities," says Robles.
Robles says the bill will put strain on our jails as well as our courts, which are already overcrowded and backlogged. Her group also believes that this type of bill would hurt Utah's economy by eliminating an entire workforce.
There's also the belief that Sandstrom's bill could be violating civil and constitutional rights. As a result, Robles says there might be competing bills. But she'd rather see lawmakers come up with one comprehensive proposal.
"We may be the state that actually brings something of a real solution that could be a model for the federal government," she says.
Since Friday, Sandstrom's bill has gained a co-sponsor: Rep. Paul Ray of Davis County. He says Sandstrom wrote a great bill and is proud to have his name on it as well.
As for Sandstrom, he's confident the bill will pass. "I believe it has absolute widespread support," he says. "I have gotten literally thousands and thousands of emails."
Robles and other lawmakers hope to create a large, comprehensive bill before the session begins next winter. She's says this bill just won't work as it is now.
Robles will address the issue Monday at press conference in Salt Lake City.
E-mail: ngonzales@ksl.com
