Utah Latinos gird for era of driver cards

Many in Utah's Latino community opposed a bill that would replace illegal immigrants' drivers' licenses with driving privilege cards that can't be used as identification.

But with the provision on the verge of becoming law, they're working with the state Department of Public Safety to educate those who will have to turn in their licenses for the new cards.

The department is also working to make certain everyone knows about another new requirement in SB227 — that anyone applying for a state identification card, driver's license or driving privilege card must show proof of Utah residency.

The law will take effect immediately once it's signed by Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., who has said he supports it.

Yvette Diaz, executive director of the new Department of Community and Culture, says SB227 is of "great concern" to all the state's ethnic communities.

The ethnic affairs offices are working on community outreach to let people know what the new law means, she said. It's also important to educate law enforcement officers to prevent racial profiling, she said.

Claron Brenchley, director of regulatory services at the Department of Public Safety, said a pamphlet on the residency requirement would likely be ready in the coming week. A bilingual pamphlet on the driving privilege card is in development.

He said plans are in the works for a Hispanic community meeting, and other meetings may follow.

"It's really made us hustle," Brenchley said, noting most new laws take effect July 1.

Tony Yapias, former director of the state Office of Hispanic Affairs, said, "There's a lot of confusion and a lot of fear over it."

Yapias, who had opposed the bill, said he met with the public safety commissioner to help develop a community outreach program. A statewide effort is needed to ensure that people understand the new requirements so they will not be victimized by fraud and to educate the law enforcement community to prevent racial profiling, Yapias said.

"The whole idea here is to do it as a community effort," Yapias said. "So the community understands we're making the best of what has happened."

Luz Robles, co-chairwoman of the Utah Hispanic Legislative Task Force, which had reluctantly supported SB227, agrees that community outreach is essential. So does Leo Gonzalez, incoming director of the state Office of Hispanic Affairs.

"Our main goal right now is to be able to reach out to our community," Gonzalez said.