Task force on migrants is killed off

It seemed like a given that the Legislature would grant approval to a task force assigned to study policies relating to illegal immigration.

After all, the enactment of a separate omnibus illegal immigration bill, SB81, was delayed until July 2009, so that the task force would have time to study its ramifications and give legislators time to make any necessary changes. SB81 would create barriers against illegal immigrants obtaining jobs or public benefits.

However, in the final hours of the legislative session, the immigration task force died because of an unrelated dispute over education. Still, even without legislative approval, it appears the study could move forward.

Sen. Patricia Jones, D-Salt Lake, said the Legislature's management committee could decide to assign an immigration study, so that the state can evaluate the impact on issues ranging from the economy to individuals' lives.

"The whole idea of the task force is certainly not dead," Jones said. "I am certain we will have a group studying the whole immigration issue, which needs to happen."

The task force sponsor, Sen. Scott Jenkins, R-Plain City, also expressed hope the study would happen. He said "strong personalities" in a dispute over an unrelated education study had stymied the immigration study, although he acknowledged a cooling down period may be needed before any agreement is reached.

"This is going to come down to their leadership and our leadership," he said. "I have high hopes it's not dead. I will be urging my leadership to be on their best behavior and get over there and talk."

Regardless of whether or not a legislative look at illegal immigration and the potential impact of SB81 materializes, Sen. Bill Hickman, R-St. George, said SB81 is still set to take effect in July 2009.

"There just won't be anyone to review it and study the impact," Hickman said. "When the governor signs it, it becomes law. ... It passed both houses quite convincingly. I don't think that support will go away."

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. initially had expressed concerns about the immigration measures, particularly SB81 and efforts to repeal the driving privilege cards and in-state tuition for illegal immigrants. However, as SB81 evolved, Huntsman became more amenable to it, especially when the implementation date was delayed by a year.

On Thursday, Lisa Roskelley said the governor's signature on SB81 isn't contingent on an official task force since "the provisions that were most troublesome to the governor of SB81 were dealt with before the legislation was passed."