Latino Leaders Outspoken Against Immigration Bills

Feb 12, 2008 by Eric Ray

(KCPW News) There are more than 20 bills on Utah's Capitol Hill this legislative session targeting undocumented immigrants living in the state. The Utah Hispanic Latino Legislative Task Force say many of those measures will have unintended consequences.

"In some ways it criminalizes a lot of people that shouldn't be," says David Solorzano, a member of the task force, speaking specifically about Senate Bill 81, which makes it a crime to transport an undocumented immigrant. "For example, missionaries taking people to church. If they transtport an illegal immigrant, they are committing a crime. We're talking about how this law effects everyone. Does a UTA bus driver suddenly become an ICE agent?"

Several lawmakers have said these bills aren't aimed specifically at the Latino population, but at all illegal aliens. Solorzano scoffs at that characterization.

"That would be like saying slavery was not a black issue. It affects a disproportionate amount of Latinos," says Solorzano. "The Pew Research Center has shown that 70% of legal Latinos have experienced a negative affect in their lifestyle because of the rise of the anti-immigrant movement. Unfortunately legislation like this keeps fueling this sentiment."

Click here to listen to a longer conversation with Solorzano.

Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom, Legislative Coverage, and 2008 Legislative Coverage. Copyright 2008 KCPW