Rep. Stephen Sandstrom seeks 'carrot' to go with immigration enforcement 'stick'

SALT LAKE CITY — To make his Arizona-style immigration enforcement bill a more uniquely Utah effort, state Rep. Stephen Sandstrom outlined two big possible changes for Gov. Gary Herbert during an hour-long meeting on Monday.

First, and most surprisingly, Sandstrom said that he and Sen. Luz Robles — who are polar opposites on immigration — are teaming together for a "carrot and stick" approach to curtail illegal immigration. His enforcement bill would be the "stick," and he said Robles, D-Salt Lake, may provide a "carrot" companion bill to help streamline permission for migrant workers to enter Utah.

Second, Sandstrom, R-Orem, said he is trying to take extra measures to ensure that his bill will not allow racial profiling. "It specifically prohibits racial profiling. It's the first time in state law we've actually specifically prohibited racial profiling," he said.

After the private meeting, Sandstrom told the Deseret News that everything is still a work in progress — but he hopes to unveil his bill to the public later this week after ongoing tweaking.

Herbert's spokeswoman, Angie Welling, said the governor "was pleased to hear that Rep. Sandstrom was working with others on possible companion legislation, and encourages all those involved in this conversation to continue to engage in discussions to find the best possible Utah solutions."

Arizona's attempt to control illegal immigration by allowing local law enforcement officers to question the immigration status of anyone stopped for other offenses was blocked last month by a federal court. Sandstrom says that has led him to make some changes — including "taking out some of the more punitive or severe parts of the bill."

Sandstrom said Herbert told him that he especially wants to ensure that the bill would not "cause harassment of people who are here legally or citizens who happen to be of certain national origins. So we discussed at length some of the things we could do to make sure that doesn't happen."

Sandstrom said that includes specifically outlawing racial or ethnic profiling, "meaning someone can't be pulled over because of their national origin."

He said he is trying to add safeguards to ensure police do not stop people for minor offenses as an excuse to ask about their immigration status. "We've made it so you can't be arrested or questioned for loitering at Home Depot (where many day laborers gather and hope for work), things like that."