After delayed implementation, omnibus immigration bill passes Senate
SB81 moves to the House after a 24-5 vote in the Senate and a series of amendments. One key amendment presented today delays its effective date by a year to July 1, 2009.
"Had the federal Congress taken this issue up the way they properly should have, we would not be here today," Hickman told senators before the vote. "They have failed miserably ... I cannot tell you how much disgust I have at their inability to address this issue."
Following the vote, Senate President John Valentine, R-Orem, called the bill as passed, a "landmark piece of legislation."
While the Senate prepared to debate the issue, about 50 people engaged in a silent protest in the Capitol Rotunda.
Also on Monday, the Senate gave final approval to:
• SCR5, a resolution calling on Congress to address illegal immigration. Now moves to the House.
• SB97, which creates a legislative task force to study illegal immigration. Now moves to the House.
• HB262, which calls for a legislative study of available federal remedies for the costs of illegal immigration to the state. Now moves to the governor.
SB81 at a glance• As Approved by the Senate on Monday, the bill will take effect July 1, 2009
• Requires jail officials to make a "reasonable effort" to determine the citizenship and legal status of suspects charged with felonies or drunk driving and notify the Department of Homeland Security if status can't be determined.
• Creates a "rebuttable presumption" that illegal presence is a flight risk.
• Prevents undocumented immigrants from obtaining restaurant or private club liquor licenses.
• Makes citizenship, permanent residency or other legal status, with a few exceptions, a requirement for identification documents by government agencies. Educational institutions are exempt.
• Requires public employers to use federal E-Verify program to check the legal status of new hires.
• Contractors would have to use E-Verify to contract with the public employers.
• Makes it unlawful for an employer to discharge a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident employee
and replace the employee with, or have the employee's duties assumed by an undocumented immigrant.
• Requires verification of legal status of applicants age 18 or older who apply for public benefits that aren't required federally to be provided. Exemptions include health care — except organ transplants, short-term, noncash, in-kind emergency disaster relief, public health assistance for immunizations, testing and treating of communicable diseases, and programs such as soup kitchens that deliver community level services needed for the protection of life or safety.
Recent comments
you people think you own the world shame on you but one day you will...
Anonymous | March 5, 2008 at 12:22 a.m.
if all iligal iimigrants would leave utah the
good economi we...
charly | March 5, 2008 at 12:01 a.m.
I also agree with Patriotic.I am an American citizen married to a...
I hate ignorant people | Feb. 27, 2008 at 8:40 p.m.
