Sen. Ed Mayne, D-West Valley, said the Attorney General's Office doesn't "have enough people to enforce this. The penalty should pay for enforcement." Mayne also said he planned to bring legislation forward concerning a growing underground economy, largely in the construction industry, as some employers misclassify workers as independent contractors to avoid paying some insurance or they pay employees in cash to avoid taxes.

Taz Biesinger, executive vice president of the Utah Home Builders Association, stressed the need for the Legislature to do something, saying, "This is disadvantaging those companies and entities who are complying with the law."

Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, wants to see an immigration forum soon to come up with potential solutions the state's congressional delegation can take to Washington.

However, Alex Segura, past director of the Utah Minuteman Project, said given the federal government's "major failure" to address illegal immigration, "it's the state's obligation to citizens."

Segura said he's encouraged that lawmakers are discussing the issue. In the past session, two bills dealing with employer verification failed to make it to floor votes.

Meanwhile, Antonella Romero Packard, co-chairwoman of the Utah Hispanic/Latino Legislative Task Force, said she understands the frustration but suggested lawmakers look at the whole issue, rather than bits and pieces.

"This can impact the economy," she said. "There is reason to be concerned. (Such debates) have the potential to divide communities and play on people's biases."

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