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SALT LAKE CITY -- State Rep. Stephen Sandstrom is formally introducing his controversial immigration legislation Wednesday to colleagues on Capitol Hill. The Judiciary, Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Interim Committee is taking its first look at the bill.
The bill got a warm reception among the lawmaker's colleagues, and a rally supporting Sandstrom from a group under the banner "Utah United" voiced support for the Illegal Immigration Enforcement Act.
"It's important for us to come out as an organization to tell Representative Sandstrom that we stand with him," said Rep. Carl Wimmer, R-Herriman.
Sandstrom defended his bill from critics. Sticking points include giving police the power to enforce immigration laws, if a person has committed another crime first.
"I would be resistant to change very much of the bill, because I think the structure of the bill is sound and it does hold constitutional muster," he said.
This is the type of a standard that Utah has to take. These are the type of statements that you, gentlemen, have to make. We need to remove the welcome mat on illegal immigrants.
–Arturo Morales, a legal Hispanic immigrant and businessman
Both Sandstrom and Gov. Gary Herbert say they want the basics of it -- even though there will be compromises -- to stay the same, specifically the bill's crackdown elements. At the same time, the want to find a workable solution for Utah that will carry forward in the immigration debate.
Despite that, Sandstrom says he's open to talking to people who have concerns about the bill.
"Quite frankly, the reason I put this bill out early is I want the people of Utah to read this bill, I want it to be discussed, I want people to look into it, I want ideas," he said.
Sandstrom did have several people testify Wednesday morning at the interim committee hearing in support of the enforcement crackdown bill he proposed last week. One of those people was Arturo Morales, a Hispanic immigrant businessman who basically said he's done everything the right way and that others can, too.
"This is the type of a standard that Utah has to take," Morales said. "These are the type of statements that you, gentlemen, have to make. We need to remove the welcome mat on illegal immigrants."
At this first hearing for the bill on Capitol Hill, Sandstrom faced only a few questions from lawmakers in opposition. Most of those centered on concerns about how much the bill might cost and about Constitutional questions tied to police enforcing immigration law.
Sandstrom also spoke more about what his bill proposes Utah courts do if an illegal immigrant is caught but the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency doesn't want to deport the person.
"They would basically be charged with a class A misdemeanor ... with an order to appear and be set free," Sandstrom said.
Gov. Gary Herbert said he is watching the process very closely. He has very strong feelings, though, that something has to be done.
"We need to find a Utah solution, and there are a number of legislators out there that have different ideas and different concepts as far as what we can do in Utah to address the illegal immigration problem," Herbert said. "I've given six guiding principles. I would hope that those guiding principles will them."
Lawmakers indicated more immigration-related bills are coming. That includes a bill that would crack down on employers who hire illegal immigrants.
Also Wednesday, there are several lawmakers who are coming out in support of Sandstrom's bill, namely members of the Patrick Henry Caucus. They spoke on the Capitol steps and shared their feelings about it.
Many are still opposed, including some Utah State students who attended the hearing Wednesday.
"It's not the proper way to go," said Augustin Diaz. "I feel like there are families involved, there are people involved. And that's what we forget."
"The way I look at it, illegal immigrants are used as scapegoats for bad government policy," said Juan Anzar.
A lot of people did not have a chance to speak at this particular hearing. Their presence was known, however, and felt, but this hearing was quiet and security was rather tight.
The meeting ran out of time before audience members could speak or ask questions. At that point, people divided up and went to opposing rallies both for and against the bill.
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Story compiled with contributions from Richard Piatt and Randall Jeppesen.
