From Deseret News archives:
States play role in immigration
Speaking to the National Conference of State Legislatures on Thursday, Hutchinson said national reform to immigration laws is needed, as well as state cooperation with federal enforcement efforts.
"No matter what we do on the enforcement side, as long as there's a demand in the U.S. for workers . . . people are going to try and get here," he said.
One key question raised: What about drivers' licenses? In general, Hutchinson said immigrants can obtain drivers' licenses with valid visas, then renew them indefinitely after the visas expire.
"Some of the Sept. 11 terrorists did have drivers' licenses," he said. "We're asking for your leadership in improving the integrity" of the system. Utah is one of a handful of states that allows undocumented workers to obtain drivers' licenses.
Hutchinson noted that 40 percent of the nation's estimated 8 million undocumented residents are visitors who overstayed their visas.
Hutchinson said a new system in use at airports and border checkpoints provides a way to verify a person's identity and check that identity against a list of suspected terrorists and criminals. By the end of the year, the technology will also be used to scan a visa when a person exits the country.
A similar check performed by law enforcement officers at traffic stops has led to the arrest of 3,310 previously deported felons and absconders in 2003 and more than 4,000 so far this year, he said.
Hutchinson said reforms such as President Bush's proposal to match farm workers with employees with temporary visas will help "bring out of the shadows" millions of undocumented immigrants, lessening the security risk.
Security isn't the only reason for immigration reform that was raised at the meeting. Charity Wilson of the AFL-CIO said workers tend to exploit illegal immigrants, which drives down the wages for native workers as well.
The AFL-CIO estimates 11 million to 13 million undocumented immigrants are in this country, most working low-wage, low-skill jobs alongside native workers, Wilson said. She said legalizing these immigrants would create a more stable work force, improve working conditions and boost wages.
E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com
Comments
- Soccer MVPs know how to win 1:56 a.m.
- Alta's Ohai is Ms. Soccer 2009 1:56 a.m.
- High school soccer: Past MVPs 1:37 a.m.
- Senators want food tax restored 1:27 a.m.
- Utah women lag in higher education 1:16 a.m.
- Hatch empathizes with Muslims 1:14 a.m.
- Matheson gets no thanks from GOP 1:13 a.m.
- Mitchell seeks to block witnesses 1:12 a.m.
- Party insiders may take on Bennett 1:11 a.m.
- Input sought on nondiscrimination 1:11 a.m.
- TCU showdown has big implications
- Seniors helped BYU regroup
- Lambert surprisingly tops news
- Hope for single moms
- Bystanders framed for child porn
- Korver and Miles to be evaluated
- Soccer MVPs know how to win
- Utah Jazz Extra: Whose hot/not
- Matheson gets no thanks from GOP
- Newhouse Hotel, an explosive end
- House passes health care bill
228 - TCU showdown has big implications
183 - Lobo suspended
182 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
154 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
118 - Thousands protest health bill
114 - RSL rallies to advance
103 - No 'backlash' for pioneers, gays analogy
97 - Utes pound winless Lobos
89
Meghan McCain, the daughter of former presidential candidate John...
Why do so many people live so close to refineries in Utah and elsewhere?
Sounds like a good option if you can't or won't switch to AT&T for the...
I worked with and around Bill Sederburg for 5 years while he was at...
hand. He needs to work on his moves to the basket and rebounding. Lateral...
play Fez or Koufos tonight. He went with a smaller line up and Boozer, Okur...
I've met Bennett before and he is a nice man. He also knows the Constitution...
That's never been a secret. Everyone will pay for it except those that don't...
I agree with NonMormon. I am active LDS, and I enjoy Ash's articles, and I...
I kept saying don't resign Milsap, especially after Portland offered that...
BYU is the slowest team that has ever been in the top 25. Utah will put up a...
i think u have the cowboys ranked too low! at least an A- LOL nice work!


You can be the first to comment on this story.