Sandstrom immigration bill may mean more uninsured drivers in Utah

SALT LAKE CITY — More uninsured drivers may emerge on Utah roads as a result of Rep. Stephen Sandstrom's immigration reform bill.

The 40,000 undocumented immigrants who possess driving privilege cards might be less likely to renew them, and new drivers might not be inclined to obtain one at all, knowing it could mean deportation if they're ever stopped by police. One of the primary reasons the Legislature created the option five years ago was to provide a means for noncitizens to obtain auto insurance.

As Sandstrom revealed his bill Friday, some community leaders expressed concern about the potential fallout, regardless of whether the measure passes. Getting a driving privilege card may be a difficult decision for illegal immigrants in Utah.

"It would seem logical that people would weigh the possibility of not getting picked up against the possibility that they might get picked up," said Archie Archuleta, head of the Utah Coalition of La Raza. "It's almost sixes."

And if people drive without insurance, that's "double danger," he said. "Now, it's physical danger that could happen to you and me."

Nanette Rolfe, Utah Driver License Division director, said it's hard to say whether Sandstrom's bill would have a chilling effect. But "I'm sure people will be more afraid to come in … just out of fear."

Sandstrom's bill would require police to check the immigration status of people detained or arrested for other reasons if officers have "reasonable suspicion" that they are here illegally. Officers would then need to turn over such people to federal immigration officials.

Sandstrom reiterated Friday that simply possessing the card would be enough for law enforcement to detain someone.

"The driving privilege card will, in an ironic way, be absolute admission that you are subject to the provisions of this bill," he said. "So the driving privilege bill has got to be rethought."

Sandstrom has stated several times that possessing such a card is "absolute proof that you're illegal," although Rolfe and the state senator who created the driving privilege card law strongly disagree with that assertion.

The law is working as intended, and it's "inaccurate on its face" to say it would be absolute proof someone is in the country illegally, said Sen. Curt Bramble, R-Provo.

"Not everyone who holds one is here illegally," Bramble said. "Therefore, how can that be in and of itself proof that someone is here illegally?"