Groups on Both Sides Oppose Controversial Immigration Bill
Mar 14, 2008 by Jeff Robinson
Say Task Force is Needed
(KCPW News) People on both sides of the political aisle aren't happy with the Governor's decision to approve a controversial anti-illegal immigration bill. Senate Bill 81 will require contractors that work with government agencies to verify the immigration status of their employees. Paul Mero, president of the conservative think-tank The Sutherland Institute, calls that ridiculous."You basically have the deputizing of businessmen to become police officers," said Mero. "I think it's ridiculous policy to put that kind of burden on our businessmen."
Mero also says the bill is narrowly focused on the rule of law without taking into account the effect it will have on families. He believes passing the bill without creating an immigration task force to go along with it creates a piecemeal approach to immigration reform. A bill that would have created such a task force died in the House this session.
Tony Yapias, director of the Utah Latino Project, says he's already spoken with Hispanics who plan on leaving the state and possibly returning to Mexico.
"Certainly there's a huge concern in our community right now," said Yapias. "They don't want to wait until 2009 and find out that they have to either abandon their homes or leave or be deported."
Yapias also supports the creation of an immigration task force. The section of Senate Bill 81 requiring government contractors to verify the immigration status of employees becomes effective in July 2009. Governor Huntsman initially opposed the bill, but supported it after several provisions were removed or changed.
Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom and 2008 Legislative Coverage. Copyright 2008 KCPW
1. JanetP said:
"Tony Yapias, director of the Utah Latino Project, says he's already spoken with Hispanics who plan on leaving the state and possibly returning to Mexico."
The phrase 'return to Mexico' seems to indicate that the people referenced in the statement might be illegal immigrants. If that is the case, it would appear that the bill is already having the desired effect - which is after all to get rid the state of illegals.
2. Marc Andersen said:
I agree with Janet. If they don't wont to put forth the effort to get legal and contribute to our economy we don't want them. I don't agree with making industry police them. However if the INS was doing their job right then industry wouldn't be hiring them anyway. It seems that any respectable business would do a background check to make sure they are legal. If their is a business hiring a lot of illegal immigrants I question their morals since they are merely doing it to pay lower wages and increase their profit margin.