Utahns favor local immigration laws

When it comes to illegal immigration this legislative session, lawmakers will have their hands full as they evaluate a slate of bills and decide what role the state should play in enforcing federal immigration law.

If a new Deseret Morning News/KSL-TV poll is any indication, public opinion seems to be on the side of state action.

Some 60 percent of Utahns polled in a recent Deseret Morning News/KSL-TV poll think there should be a local role in the enforcement of immigration law.

And, when it comes to penalizing employers who hire undocumented immigrants, some 74 percent approve. And 85 percent say citizenship checks should be required to receive public benefits.

The poll of 413 Utahns was conducted by Dan Jones and Associates Jan. 8-10. The margin of error is 5 percent.

"I think people are becoming more and more frustrated and concerned," said Sen. Bill Hickman, R-St. George, who is drafting a comprehensive measure which is being modeled after a new Oklahoma law.

"They're very, very concerned that our federal Congress is not doing anything," he said. "They're frustrated by the fact that we're still seeing a large number of people pouring across the border."

Hickman's bill has yet to be released. He's said it would, among other things, create a Class A misdemeanor for harboring or transporting illegal immigrants. It would also create barriers against undocumented immigrants obtaining jobs or public benefits.

There are also a slate of bills being introduced independently. There will be measures cracking down on identity theft, along with bills requiring at least some employers use a federal verification system or that require legal status to obtain professional licenses.

There will also be bills to repeal — or tighten — the driving privilege card, which allows undocumented immigrants to drive. And an effort to repeal in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants who meet residency requirements similar to those U.S. citizens must meet.

The poll found that 63 percent of Utahns oppose letting undocumented students pay the in-state rate. Only 33 percent said it should remain as Utah law.

This is the first time that Deseret Morning News polling has shown a majority support for the repeal of the 2002 law, which will be carried again by Rep. Glenn Donnelson, R-North Ogden.