From Deseret News archives:

After delayed implementation, omnibus immigration bill passes Senate

Published: Monday, Feb. 25, 2008 5:50 p.m. MST
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
An omnibus immigration bill passed a major legislative hurdle today when it received final approval in the 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.

Story continues below
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.

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're...

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.

previousnext

Latest comments

You said, "[S]tones sound pretty far fetched to me, literally." As far...

Expect epic clash on the line

Apparently they don't teach basic economic priciples at the Y. You can add...

You're a MWC homer, thats why

This is a wonderful event that Deron Williams foundation and the Utah Jazz...

Boys basketball rankings

Hey Bingham Football players.....Since the B-Ball team basically represented...

Letters: 2 grumpy old men

Since when does one have the right to claim another services, labor, or...

Letters: Trump card for believers

["The Government is NOT here to insure that YOU have equal rights"] 1/3 of...

Keep on living in the past Aggies. The present doesn't look all that great....

Utah, BYU are top choices for bowls

Dream on! The MWC will never get respect especially by inserting a WAC team....

ABC morning show cancels Lambert

i watched it on youtube and it was so offensive I had to watch it twice to...

Advertisements