New Utah immigration screening worries both sides

Sen. Chris Buttars said his SB251 bill — which requires employers to verify the immigration status of new hires — would force illegal immigrants to leave the state.

But now, with the law set to take effect July 1, key leaders of both sides of immigration debate say that is the one thing the law will not do.

Eli Cawley, head of the Utah Minutemen Project, an anti-illegal immigration group, said, "I think it will have a minimal effect on the number of illegal aliens expelled." Instead, he figures that "more illegal aliens will be forced underground, and will attempt to steal real IDs rather than just make up a (Social Security) number for employment."

And that's just the beginning of unintended consequences predicted by various sides. Some say it will lead to layoffs of even legal workers, hurt companies that serve Hispanics, perhaps lead some businesses to move, make immigrants more vulnerable to fraud, and may create more animosity between Hispanics and others.

The new law requires any business with 15 or more employees to verify the immigration status of new hires. Most are expected to use the federal E-Verify system.

The law also requires the state to create a list of companies that are using E-Verify. Employers who use the system will be given placards advertising that they use it. However, the bill has no penalties for businesses that do not comply.

Cawley said that groups such as his will likely look at lists of those that comply, and perhaps protest against those that do not. Still, "I don't think the law will have much effect because there are no penalties, and no real money to push enforcement," he said.

Monica Whalen, president of The Employers Council, said that despite no inclusion of penalties, "I do believe most employers in Utah will take the requirement seriously and do their best to comply."

One reason, she said, is that there are indications the Legislature might include penalties next year for not complying with the law, so employers would be wise to comply now.

Gov. Gary Herbert had planned to call a special session of the Legislature to clarify that SB251 is voluntary (because no penalties were included). He backed away from that amid signs that conservatives would push for stronger action against illegal immigrants, and said a one-day session was not sufficient for such a debate.

"Right now, there's no question the law (SB251) is mandatory," and companies that ignore it may be depicted as law-breakers even if penalties do not exist, Whalen said.