Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY -- Before delegates to the state Republican Convention on Saturday decide how they will vote on a resolution to repeal the "guest worker" immigration bill, they should check out the results of a KSL-TV/Deseret News poll that is fresh from the field today.
The poll asks the general public whether they think HB116 should be repealed. The results will be reported tonight on KSL TV news at 10 pm, and in tomorrow's Deseret News. While the results are still being formatted, an early glimpse suggests they will give clear guidance on whether delegates are on the same page as those they were sent to the convention to represent.
Related
Salt Lake County citizens initiative takes aim at guest worker law
A citizens initiative that would make it more difficult to employ illegal immigrants was filed Tuesday in Salt Lake County in an effort to challenge the state's new guest worker program at the local level.Another hint: Results are not much different from those of a very similar poll taken several months ago as the bill was taking shape in the Legislature. The resolution to be voted on Saturday is non-binding, but is regarded as a bellwether of political fortitude to push forward with repeal efforts next Legislative session. There are also petition drives in the works to force repeal, separate from legislative action.
As the convention approaches, both sides have cranked up the volume on their messaging. Supporters of the bill were heartened by a statement from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While some news accounts described it as "murky," the statement's support of a method by which undocumented immigrants could "square themselves with the law" was pretty clearly a reference to a key precept of HB116.
The opponents appear to have eased off a bit when it comes to their repeated declarations the bill delivers a form of "amnesty." In a recent op-ed piece by Rep. Brandon Beckham, R-Orem
The "let's defend the Constitution" tack was curiously lacking in the early discussions of the so-called "enforcement bill" marshaled into law by another Orem Republican, Rep. Stephen Sandstrom. That bill, at least in its early incarnation, was patterned after the Arizona law which has already faced substantial legal challenge on constitutional grounds.
HB116 certainly may have legal hurdles to leap, principally over whether it usurps powers granted by the Constitution exclusively to the federal government. Backers acknowledge that, and have worked to facilitate a conversation with federal officials to see if Uncle Sam may let Utah go ahead and deal with the immigrant population within our borders.
On the other hand, the enforcement measure has far more Constitutional speed bumps than a potential affront to federal supremacy. Civil rights groups believe it trespasses over constitutional search and seizure protections, as well.
The Saturday debate, however, will not be about the finer points of the law. Conventions are ideological pep rallies, intended to send clear messages and stake out clear positions -- sometimes whether they are in concert with the party membership as whole, or not.
Email: cpsarras@ksl.com
