House passes resolution urging Congress to fix immigration

SALT LAKE CITY — The House passed a resolution Thursday that urges Congress to fix immigration, but not until a lawmaker first added his take on the Constitution. 

The resolution urges Congress to take "swift and decisive action" on immigration issues, and to grant power to the states to make their own policies if the federal government does not have the "will" to solve the immigration issues. 

The resolution passed 72-2 after the House approved an amendment proposed by Rep. Ken Ivory, R-West Jordon. 

SJR12 used to say that it "recognizes that the United States Congress presently has dominant authority to make immigration policy." It now says Congress has "assumed" authority to legislate immigration.

Ivory said rights come from God—not the Constitution. "I think it's very important that we be constitutionally consistent," he said 

The resolution's sponsor, Rep. Ryan Wilcox, R-Ogden, said the amendment strengthens it. 

"It's time for the federal government to address immigration," Wilcox said. 

The state Senate has already approved the resolution, and it now moves to Gov. Gary Herbert for his action. 

— Amanda Verzello