From Deseret News archives:
Legislators focus on illegal immigrants
Officers' roles may be beefed up
Rep. Glenn Donnelson, R-North Ogden, sponsor of HB105, envisions officers who are able to apprehend illegal immigrants during routine traffic stops.
"It's not head hunting," Donnelson said. "It's just an aid for officers when they are doing their routine duty."
The bill, one of several this session addressing illegal immigration, directs the commissioner of the Department of Public Safety to enter into an agreement with the Department of Homeland Security to allow some law officers to perform certain federal immigration functions in "investigation, apprehension, or detention of aliens in the United States."
The bill has yet to receive a hearing, but it has already drawn the opposition of the state's attorney general. The Department of Public Safety has also raised questions about what the bill really means.
It doesn't specify what the wording of the state-federal agreement would be. Such "287(g)" agreements work in different ways, depending on a jurisdiction's needs, said Lori Haley, spokeswoman for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
"It allows ICE to focus on more complex investigations," Haley said. "It's a win-win for everyone. It helps us and it helps the local jurisdictions. It's a great thing for public safety."
However, Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff said that as the state's chief law enforcement officer he strongly opposes the bill, which he sees as a detriment to public safety.
"The bottom line is, we have a job to do here," Shurtleff said. "Every moment we spend hauling in an illegal immigrant pulls us away from doing other things to keep the streets safe."
Shurtleff added that undocumented immigrants could be less likely to report crimes if they perceive local officers as federal agents.
"I'm all for having the feds do their jobs," Shurtleff said. "We need to be doing our jobs, not theirs."
The Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice also opposes the legislation, acting director Bob Yates said. The opposition largely comes over concerns it could hamper local investigations and questions about the logistics of adding to jail populations by detaining the illegal immigrants.
Donnelson doubted such an agreement would hurt local investigations, saying he wants the agreement to target criminal aliens.
Comments
- Tavernari has matured 10:02 p.m.
- Meet the climbing mayor 10:00 p.m.
- 5A football: Hawks, Miners ready 9:59 p.m.
- Taylor Swift CMA entertainer of year 9:55 p.m.
- Prep football playoff games today 9:40 p.m.
- 5 men charged with child sex crimes 9:39 p.m.
- Provo convention center close 9:38 p.m.
- London latest in pilot drinking cases 9:37 p.m.
- Utah: $850M budget shortfall 9:35 p.m.
- Study: 10 states face budget crises 9:35 p.m.
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
- Utah Jazz have a problem at point
- 'Love story' of crash victim ends
- BYU football recruit turning heads
- Alta's Ohai is Ms. Soccer 2009
- Prep football: Felt's Facts Week
- 12 Utes return to Texas
- Cougars' defensive hoops clinic
- Wyoming writer amazed by BYU
- Gays get Mormon support in SLC
- House passes health care bill
285 - SLC council OKs gay rights policies
239 - TCU showdown has big implications
193 - Senators want food tax restored
157 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
155 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
119 - S.L. vote pending on gay protections
109 - No 'backlash' for pioneers, gays analogy
108 - Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
100
Maybe someone out there can help me understand how raising the state...
Sen. Scott Jenkins was name-checked by Jay Leno Monday night during his...
Good luck Rebels and lets go get a win!! You guys have been playing for this...
"However, researchers warned that Utah's conservative leanings may be...
We love you and will keep your family in our prayers. May the Lord bless you...
So how many trips will he be making to Washington, D.C. or wherever this...
I don't believe we have our own draft pick this coming offseason...only the...
CANADA VS. USA Stats for all countries available at the World Health...
Emily was my second cousin, and the little sister I never had. Mary and Felix...
Prove yourselves on Saturday, then talk your smack.
understandable even if PHO did beat them the other night. It is the losses at...
The Cougar Nation being petrified that Utah might win TCU is humorous. Utah...



You can be the first to comment on this story.