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SALT LAKE CITY — Gov. Spencer Cox says that immigration reform is a vital step in strengthening the U.S. economy.
The governor's comments during his monthly PBS news conference Thursday were the latest he has made in support of immigration reform — an issue he has repeatedly characterized as "the one controversial issue that most Americans agree on."
"Our economy is demanding that we need more workforce and we just can't find more workforce here," he said. "So this isn't about taking jobs away from Americans; it's about helping create new jobs and more jobs and helping our economy to continue to grow."
Cox also applauded SB35, which will take effect in May. The law allows immigrants with professional licensing and training from foreign countries to become licensed in Utah. It comes on the heels of a similar law passed in 2022 that made the same allowances for a different set of professions. Cox encouraged immigrants applying for those licenses to be patient as the state navigates the new process.
"We have businesses that are desperate for these types of employees. We can't fill these jobs fast enough, so it makes sense. It's very logical, and I'm proud that we're one of the first states in the nation to be able to find pathways for those citizens to get licensed here without having to start from scratch," he said.
The comments echoed arguments Cox has made previously, including in a joint op-ed written with Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb in February calling for states to sponsor immigrants to fill labor shortages. Cox's moderate approach has won support from some, such as his remarks telling Dreamers, children who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children, that they belong in the U.S. However, he has also received criticism for moves like signing a bill into law that advocates said exclude undocumented students from sports.
Cox has repeatedly called out Washington, D.C., politicians for their failure to act on immigration reform. However, on Thursday Cox said that he's "cautiously optimistic" that Congress will soon take action on the issue.
"The problem is the politicians, and it's politicians who get elected by dividing us on this issue on both the left and the right. And we've been very close to consensus before," Cox said, adding that immigration reform was within reach in both the Bush and Obama administrations. "I have my eyes wide open on this one. I recognize that it's been tried before and failed before, but I'm always optimistic and hopeful that we can get something done with this Congress."
