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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Employers in Utah could be among the first in the country to face criminal charges for failing to verify their workers' immigration status under a bill advancing in the Utah Legislature.
Several states require businesses to use the federal E-Verify Program, but generally only under threat of financial penalties.
Under the bill Utah employers who fail to comply could face a class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Bill supporters say enacting the measure would stop identity theft and encourage illegal immigrants to leave Utah.
Opponents say including criminal penalties could clash with federal law and place an undue burden on businesses.
The bill cleared a legislative panel Friday 4-2 and now advances to the Senate floor.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
