Joe Reyna, Republican co-chairman of the Utah Hispanic Legislative Task Force, said his group will lobby against both bills, as it did last year.

"For us, it's an issue of public safety," he said. "It's better for Utahns" if immigrants have a license to drive.

"I think it's just a matter of being educated," he said.

Alex Segura, board member of Utahns for Immigration Reform and Enforcement, says he supports both of Donnelson's bills.

Segura said when it comes to illegal immigration, "There's no compromising. Either you're legally in the country or you're not.

"We're not going, in any way, to aid and abet criminals who are illegally in the country," he said.

There are other bills related to immigration that lawmakers will consider this session.

Rep. Aaron Tilton, R-Springville, has filed two bills — the texts of which haven't been released — dealing with immigrants.

Tilton said his bills aren't yet at the stage he's ready to comment on them, but did say they're "part of the same legislation. One is a tax bill, the other is an illegal immigrant driver license bill."

Tilton said he has no plans to repeal Utah's law that allows illegal immigrants to get driver licenses.

Rep. Curt Oda, R-Clearfield, has introduced a separate measure, HB223, that would allow legal residents who aren't eligible to work get driver licenses. Currently a Social Security number or ITIN is required to apply for a Utah driver's license.

"This is to create a third category of licensed driver in Utah," Oda said, noting it would help people living here as students or who are here for Olympic training.

"It says nothing at all about undocumented immigrants."

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Contributing: Jennifer Nii; E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com