A small group of state lawmakers is on a field trip to learn more about Arizona's controversial immigration law. Some legislators are interested in sponsoring similar legislation in Utah, which gives us pause on many levels.
But credit the group for going to the border and learning more about the issue and its real world impacts. Utah needs to conduct an informed debate on this issue.
While we understand the impetus behind state-level legislation regarding this issue — Congress' failure to address illegal immigration and associated issues — securing the border and enforcing immigration laws are federal responsibilities.
States need to keep their eyes open to unintended consequences of these laws. It is possible that such laws can open the door to racial profiling and other civil rights abuses.
The Arizona law, which goes into effect July 29, requires police making traffic stops or questioning people about possible legal violations to ask them about their immigration status if there is "reasonable suspicion" that they're in the country illegally.
Backers of Arizona's law say that law-abiding people need not fear these laws.
Still, many people of Hispanic origin possess drivers' licenses that were issued before the Utah Legislature passed a law instituting the driver privilege card for non-citizens. Would people with the previous generation of driver's license — regardless of status — be placed in a position that they would have to prove their citizenship should the Utah Legislature pass an Arizona-like law?
Before Utah goes down this road, shouldn't it wait to see whether the U.S. Justice Department takes Arizona to court over its law? Given current economic conditions, this is not the time for the state of Utah to take on a protracted legal fight.
Instead of adopting a "me, too" posture on this issue, what if Utah was the state that led a national movement to insist that Congress deal with immigration reform? Let's start with Arizona Sen. John McCain's call to increase the numbers of National Guard troops along the border and other supports so the federal government can enforce existing law.
