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Richard Piatt ReportingUtah lawmakers have struggled with immigration issues for years. In every case, Utah's attempts to deal with immigration are frustrated by the reality that it is the federal laws that really need to change. Nevertheless, there have been some notable bills that have created a stir in the legislature over the years.
This past session, a bill to deny in-state tuition to children of illegal immigrants failed. It left a lot of Hispanics and Latinos feeling 'picked on', even though it was meant to solve a technical problem.
A victory came with the passage of the so-called Hate Crimes bill, which enhances penalties for crimes motivated by race.
Last year, the legislature passed a driver's privilege card bill. That requires illegal immigrants to get a permit to drive, but that doesn't classify them as a citizen. And a couple years ago, the legislature unanimously passed a resolution urging Congress to do something about immigration issues.
There are many issues the legislature deals with that affect immigrants as well: funding English as a second language and ethnic affairs programs, for example.
Since immigrant issues are difficult, however, there is often a gap between what legislators propose and what the Immigrant community feels is useful.
Tony Yapias, Activist: "Sometimes we feel the legislators are taking a reaction approach. We've always said the battle needs to be at the national level, where it is today."
Within the Latino-Hispanic community, there is a groundswell of strong feelings about bills that are before Congress right now. Airwaves at a local Spanish-speaking radio station crackled today with people calling in about a rally and unity march that's planned for Sunday, expected to attract thousands of people.
This is an emotional issue on both sides and attempts to legislate here can only do so much. It would seem, leadership has to come from Congress.
