Variety of bills in Utah legislative session will look at all sides of immigration issue

SALT LAKE CITY — Now that Arizona's controversial immigration law is tied up in the courts, some Utah leaders think the time is right to look at other approaches to dealing with undocumented immigrants.

"Frankly, I don't really care about the Arizona bill," Gov. Gary Herbert told the Deseret News. "I care about finding a Utah solution to the unique challenges of illegal immigration in Utah."

For Herbert, a Republican running in this November's special gubernatorial election, that means going beyond enforcing laws against entering the country illegally and finding ways to accommodate the workers who already are here.

"We need to respect the rule of law," the governor said, citing principles he outlined at his recent roundtable discussion on immigration. "We need to do it in a way that understands we are dealing with human beings, in difficult situations."

He said he was pleased to see different proposals starting to surface, including one for a state-run guest worker program that would allow illegal immigrants to hold jobs and pay taxes.

"I think that bodes well for finally getting something that would be palatable for most people," Herbert said. "There's many roles to be played out there. It's not just law enforcement that has to take on the entire burden itself."

The governor said he's not backing any specific proposals — yet.

"I might take a hand in that and throw my support behind a certain bill," he said. "I'm more than happy to help facilitate discussion and understanding so we get it right in the state of Utah."

Lawmakers expect to see a slew of bills on immigration in the 2011 Legislature, as a result of the Arizona law focusing new attention on the U.S. Congress' lack of action.

Arizona's attempt to control illegal immigration on its own by allowing local authorities to question the immigration status of anyone stopped for other offenses was blocked last month by a federal court.

"There is a strong sentiment, a strong movement, to do something here," Senate President Michael Waddoups, R-Taylorsville, said, adding that lawmakers in Washington, D.C., have "dropped the ball."

Senate Republicans are more interested in seeing illegal immigration laws enforced, Waddoups said. "We've got a lot of them that want to round (illegal immigrants) up and get them out of here," he said of his caucus.

But both Waddoups and House Speaker Dave Clark, R-Santa Clara, said they expect a mix of enforcement and employment measures to pass next session.

Utah isn't afraid to take on the federal government over immigration, Clark said. "That's what sets Utah apart from other states. We've historically rolled up our sleeves and dug in."