Senate debates controversial immigration bill

Tonya Papanikolas reporting A comprehensive immigration bill passed a second reading today on floor of the Utah Senate, but not without heavy debate.

The bill allows state and local officers to help enforce immigration laws, requires employers to check the immigration status of their employees, and provides penalties for people harboring or transporting illegal immigrants for financial gain.

The galleys were full of people to hear the Senate debate on the comprehensive immigration bill. The bill's sponsor, Sen. Bill Hickman, offered amendments to "soften the bill," including one that would allow religious organizations to extend humanitarian efforts to illegal immigrants. "I think that's probably the proper thing to do," Hickman said. "I think they've really improved the bill a whole bunch."

But the amendments didn't soften the immigration debate on the Senate floor. "I think this bill undermines a fundamental part of who we are in Utah, as it relates to families and the unification and preservations of families," Sen. Ross Romero said.

"The poisoned tree for me is illegal immigration, and the fruit is the benefit the illegal immigrant presence gives to our bottom line and lifestyle," Sen. Jon Greiner said. "The truth is the presence of those here illegally is in violation of our laws."

The senators also debated whether passing immigration legislation was a state or federal job. "I think it needs to be fixed federally," Sen. Pat Jones said. "I would hate to see us pass something that we would be very sorry for."

Sen. Darin Peterson said, "It's something we don't relish doing. It's something we are forced to do because of the inaction of others."

The governor and Utah's federal congressmen have also voiced differing opinions on this issue. Today, Gov. Jon Huntsman said fixing immigration was not the state's job, while Rep. Rob Bishop encouraged state senators to take on the issue.

This bill now moves on to a third Senate reading. If it passes there, it will then go to the House.

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