Senate OKs driving permit for immigrants

Bramble released his bill in response to a state audit that suggested Utah is a portal for illegal immigrants from other states to get their licenses, and that some undocumented immigrants may have registered to vote and that 14 possibly voted.

A motion failed to amend the bill so the permits wouldn't be a different color from a driver's license.

Sen. Gene Davis, D-Salt Lake, said the bill seemed to be singling out one segment of the population.

"It's wrong, it's really discriminatory on our part," Davis said. "It's the wrong message to a community of good" residents. Bramble brushed off concerns about racial profiling, saying an officer wouldn't know what color card a driver was using until after that driver's license had been checked. Law officers can currently call in a license to see if its holder is using an ITIN number, he said.

Bramble said his bill would prevent undocumented immigrants from purchasing guns or voting. He said his bill had the support of the "mainstream" Hispanic community, but not the "activists."

The Utah Hispanic Legislative Task Force reluctantly supports the bill. Many other members of the Hispanic community oppose the bill and have asked to at least refer it to interim study.

A few dozen Latinos gathered outside the West Building Monday to quietly show their opposition to the bill. On Friday, hundreds of people filled the building's lobby and stairways, hoping to sway legislators against the bill.

Antonio Arce of Logan, a legal resident originally from Argentina, said he was at the Capitol to support a community of "honest" people.

"These people say they are not honest just by the fact they come here looking for a job," he said. "They talk about a separate (driving permit). I start thinking about 'separate but equal.' "

A third bill related to immigration was referred to interim study Monday by the House Revenue and Taxation Standing Committee.

That bill, HB130, sponsored by Rep. Aaron Tilton, R-Springville, would create a tax benefit for a private company to offer English and government courses to illegal immigrants, in exchange for a monthly fee. The bill would create a voluntary database of undocumented immigrants, but there is a provision for separate legislation to make participation mandatory for certain state services.

A separate bill, HB316, would make participation mandatory for illegal immigrants in order to obtain a state driver's license. Tilton said he still plans to bring that provision before lawmakers.