Burbank Unhappy With Immigration Reform

Mar 06, 2008 by Eric Ray

(KCPW News) Sweeping immigration reform recently passed by Utah's Legislature could have a profound effect on the way local police departments conduct their business. Salt Lake City Police Chief Chris Burbank fears his department will be forced to act as immigration agents.

"There's actually a piece of that legislation that says anyone in the public who do not believe law enforcement is taking their due diligence in dealing with this can go to court and have the law enforcement agency forced to do it," says Burbank. "So I would say the optional portion of [the bill] is not in there."

Substitute Senate Bill 81 is now on Governor John Huntsman's desk. It prohibits local governments from enacting policies that prevent police officers from cooperating with federal officials regarding someone's immigration status. Burbank says the legislation opens up a can of worms that is raising concern amongst most state police agencies.

"Officers are not interested in doing this enforcement. It adds extra work to what they're doing, and in a very scary area," says Burbank. "I don't know how the officers will be able to defend themselves against challenges of racial profiling when in fact they're stopping people based on race."

Burbank says his department has a good working relationship with local Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, and he is supportive of Utah Senator Orrin Hatch's call for 22 additional ICE agents in Utah. Visit the Midday Metro page to listen to a longer conversation with Chief Burbank.

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