Senator fine-tuning immigration measure

"It's always been my intent to mean harboring or transporting for commerical purposes ... not going to church or the grocery store," Hickman said.

The LDS Church hasn't met with Hickman and it hasn't taken a position on any specific immigration legislation, said church spokesman Robert Howell.

However, Elder Marlin K. Jensen of the Seventy has urged lawmakers to take a "more thoughtful, factual, not to mention humane, approach" to immigration legislation. And Elder Russell M. Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve has, as a member of the Alliance for Unity, opposed the repeal of in-state tuition for undocumented college students. That provision has been removed from Hickman's bill but passed the House as a stand-alone measure, HB241, which now awaits a Senate hearing.

In a statement Tuesday, the church said that Ballard represents the LDS Church as a member of the Alliance for Unity.

"The alliance is a group of respected Utah civic, business and religious leaders," the statement said. "Under the alliance policies, its views are not binding on the institutions its members represent. The church has taken no position on HB241."

However, at least some supporters of the proposed task force say Hickman will be hard pressed to garner their support.

Pastor Steven Klemz of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church said he doubts Hickman's changes will garner his support, saying "the bill in itself is promoting a climate of fear."

Judi Hilman, executive director of the Utah Health Policy Project, expressed concerns that SB81 could have unintended consequences when it comes to health care, such as preventing eligible U.S. citizens from obtaining public benefits.

"We should be sitting down and looking at longer-term solutions to these issues," Hilman said.

Thursday's debate will come after senators have time to consider comments made by Sens. Orrin Hatch and Bob Bennett, both R-Utah, who on Tuesday told lawmakers that comprehensive reform isn't likely any time soon.

"I doubt we'll be able to do much in this election year," Hatch said. And Bennett said it could be five years before the Congress again takes up the issue.

"That is absolutely frightening to me,"Hickman said. "The federal government is so neutered on this issue. ... That's the reason the states have picked this up, because we're frustrated over the inaction of our federal government."

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E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com