Hatch proposes to rein in illegal immigration

WASHINGTON — Utah's senior senator is proposing to rein in the illegal immigration problem with legislation that proposes an array of stringent regulations governing health care, law enforcement and other state services.

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, reintroduced Monday the "Strengthening Our Commitment to Legal Immigration and America's Security Act," which proposes to shore up the country's borders and at the same time facilitate the exit of foreign visitors who Hatch says have worn out their welcome.

The bill proposes to do a number of things, but Hatch is the first to admit it is not a panacea to a problem that has become the fulcrum of social and political discord across the country.

"My bill is not the end-all and be-all for every immigration problem. But it represents a very important beginning in what needs to be an ongoing process to enforce the immigration laws already on the books, draft new ones to tackle fresh challenges and to regain control of our nation's borders."

Among other things, Hatch's bill proposes to:

Limit states' ability to receive federal funds to cover children and pregnant women who are not U.S. citizens.

Toughen penalties for drug offenses such as growing marijuana on federal land and using booby traps or poisons.

Require the Department of Homeland Security to create a mandatory exit procedure for foreign visitors.

Hatch said he is sponsoring the bill in response to the Obama administration, which he claims is exploring the possibility of granting mass amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants, including individuals who have been incarcerated for crimes.

"We should not be rolling out the red carpet to welcome people involved in organized crime to our country and into our communities where they can wreak havoc and undermine the rule of and respect for law," Hatch said.

e-mail: amyjoi@desnews.com