LATINOS DE UTAH: February 2011

Monday, February 28, 2011

House passes amended bill repealing Utah college tuition for illegal immigrants

SALT LAKE CITY — Undocumented immigrant college students would still be able to get resident tuition if they or their parents can show they have paid income taxes for three years.
The House approved an amended version of HB191 after some pointed debate Monday. Bill sponsor, Rep. Carl Wimmer, R-Herriman, said it's not unreasonable for the state to require illegal immigrants to demonstrate they pay taxes in order to obtain the tuition benefit.

READ MORE: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705367657/House-passes-amended-bill-repealing-Utah-college-tuition-for-illegal-immigrants.html

Editorial: A model for the nation

We wish to acknowledge the thoughtful, statesmanlike and deliberate discussions under way in the Utah Legislature to address the complex and challenging issues of illegal immigration. Hard work and deliberation appear to be moving Utah toward a unique solution on immigration that, done well, could become a model for the nation.

READ MORE: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700113896/Editorial-A-model-for-the-nation.html

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Illegal immigration is destroying America's melting pot

The United States has long been considered a melting pot. I remember marveling at the way legal immigrants were welcomed into my Southern California neighborhood in the 60s and 70s.

Each of them came to the United States with the desire to own a piece of the American dream; making a better life for themselves and their families. As a general rule, they worked hard to assimilate into the American way of life by learning the English language and local customs. They did this while at the same time holding on to their cultural heritage and passing it on to each new generation of their families.

http://www.standard.net/topics/opinion/2011/02/26/illegal-immigration-destroying-americas-melting-pot

List of immigration bills for Utah

HERE IS THE COMPLETE LIST OF IMMIGRATION BILLS:

HB 70
Sponsored by: Rep. Stephen Sandstrom, R-Orem
Illegal Immigration Enforcement Act -- This bill would enact the "Illegal Immigration Enforcement Act," which, among other things, would require that an officer verify the immigration status of a detained or arrested person upon reasonable suspicion the person is an illegal alien.

http://www.heraldextra.com/legislature/article_9c510980-38ac-5834-9f63-681da0f6db8b.html

Giant leap for immigration in Utah

State Sen. Curt Bramble's comprehensive immigration bill is not only what Utah needs, it sets an example for the rest of the nation.

Senate Bill 288 takes some of the best aspects of other bills, avoids the more tangled issues, and adopts a conciliatory tone that most Utahns support. That approach has real promise.

SB 288 is the work product of more than 25 legislators, both Democrat and Republican, plus numerous stakeholders who provided input for several weeks.

http://www.heraldextra.com/news/opinion/article_4b7e00c3-ab76-57ee-bc1a-bff2f2bc666d.html

Immigration bills still up for debate in Legislature

Much-touted immigration reform bills were slow to get moving through the state Legislature this year, but with only nine days left in the session, legislators seem to be debating one measure or another every day.
There are a number of immigration-related bills in both houses, including proposals for guest worker programs and state enforcement of federal immigration laws, bills regarding health care and in-state tuition and more. And then there's an omnibus bill that aims to address all those issues.

READ MORE: http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/immigration/article_a89df20f-eec5-5498-86b0-cd42ed9c52d2.html

Immigrant group upset by meeting turnout

SALT LAKE CITY -- As immigration continues to be a hot topic in the Utah Legislature, a group of minority leaders held their first public meeting Saturday afternoon.

The "United Immigrant Community of Utah" met inside the Salt Lake County building. The group's goal was to inform and unite the immigrant community and to announce its continuing community action efforts.

READ MORE: http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=14529987

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Enforcing E-Verify

SALT LAKE CITY ?— Jen Jones can't imagine the papers she spreads out on her desk — Social Security cards, work permits, copies of government issued ID — are fake.
"They look legit to me," said the human resource manager, pursing her lips as if daring someone to question her. "I'd never take them if they didn't."
But things aren't always as they seem. Jones, whose name has been changed to protect her identity, recently discovered one of the men on her construction crew immigrated to the country illegally. She didn't fire him. Instead, she found him a lawyer.

READ MORE: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700113489/Enforcing-E-Verify.html

BYU professor challenges on illegal immigration bills

SALT LAKE CITY — A BYU professor is among those challenging facts and figures proponents of illegal immigration bills use to make their case for tough enforcement laws.
One of those areas is crime, where it's commonly suggested that the rate is higher among illegal immigrants than the general population.
"In examining the data, it's just hard to see that there's a strong connection between undocumented immigrants and crime," said Charlie Morgan, a Brigham Young University sociology professor who studies immigration.

READ MORE: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705367527/BYU-professor-challenges-on-illegal-immigration-bills.html

SB288 • Omnibus immigration bill released

The bill, SB288, is a compilation of guest worker, enforcement, employer sanctions and in-state tuition bills that have largely passed the House of Representatives. It can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/6842dt6

But two House lawmakers, Reps. Stephen Sandstrom and Chris Herrod, did not want their respective bills rolled into an omnibus bill and extracted themselves from the process when Bramble began meetings with legislators weeks ago in the attempt to bring comprehensive immigration reform.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Utah House amends, shelves repeal of in-state college tuition for illegal immigrants — for now

SALT LAKE CITY — After the Utah House tweaked a bill aimed at repealing in-state tuition for illegal immigrants Thursday, its sponsor abruptly pulled it from consideration — at least for the afternoon.
Lawmakers debated HB191 for about an hour before Rep. Carl Wimmer, R-Herriman, apparently decided he'd had enough of his colleagues' tinkering. Another amendment was about to be moved when he decided to shelve it for the day. He may bring the bill up again at any time.

READ MORE: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705367419/Utah-House-amends-shelves-repeal-of-in-state-college-tuition-for-illegal-immigrants-2-for-now.html

Utah’s Latino population skyrockets 78% in 10 years

Utah’s Latino population soared by 78 percent during the past decade — growing by nearly 157,000 people to 358,000 total. That is about twice the size of Salt Lake City, according to long-awaited 2010 census data released Thursday.

In fact, the head count , taken once every 10 years, indicates that three of every 10 new Utahns who arrived by birth or immigration during the decade were Latino — and four of every 10 were minorities.

Utah House, Senate at odds over immigration

The fallout from Sen. Curtis Bramble’s omnibus immigration proposal continued to be felt Thursday throughout the Capitol as Gov. Gary Herbert praised the comprehensive bill while House Speaker Becky Lockhart and others vowed to fight to keep several single-approach House bills intact.

Omnibus immigration bill offered on the Hill

A comprehensive immigration reform proposal that plucks key provisions from several other immigration bills — including Rep. Stephen Sandstrom’s enforcement-only measure — was floated Wednesday. If key senators get their way, the initiative will become the Legislature’s multifaceted solution to the illegal immigration problem and could push aside other measures attempting to address it in piecemeal fashion.

Call for timeout on immigration bills shot down

Latino groups attempted Thursday to call a two-year timeout on debating bills that deal with illegal immigration, but a Senate committee instead signaled for lawmakers to play on.

The Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee voted 2-1 to kill SJR18 by Senate Minority Leader Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake City, which he said he pushed on behalf of the Latino community.

House frustrated by Senate 'omnibus' immigration bill

SALT LAKE CITY — There was plenty of frustration expressed Thursday over a new Senate immigration bill that incorporates enforcement and guest worker provisions of several House bills.
"We will stand by the work of the House," House Speaker Becky Lockhart, R-Provo, told reporters, suggesting the Senate stick with the House's immigration bills.
"The House has worked very hard, up to a year or more on these issues with all of the interested parties," Lockhart said. "We think that we've addressed all the issues."

READ MORE: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705367429/House-frustrated-by-Senate-omnibus-immigration-bill.html

Governor, House react to 'Utah Compact Bill' on immigration

SALT LAKE CITY -- Reactions on Capitol Hill to Sen. Curt Bramble's comprehensive immigration reform bill have been mixed.
Gov. Gary Herbert says he likes what he hears, while House leadership said they're standing by the bills they have already passed.
"I think that it's certainly moving in the right direction," Herbert said. The governor did acknowledge that he has not had the chance to review Bramble's bill but did say, "I'm encouraged by what I hear."

READ MORE: http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/article_1b80a09d-70b7-5c0a-aeee-125e1303eb78.html

SALT LAKE CITY — After keeping quiet on the issue during the debate, Governor Herbert has largely stayed above the fray through the tumultuous session.

But Thursday, he talked a bit about how he plans to wield his influence. While in the House, a vote on Rep. Carl Wimmer's vote was so close, one representative changing their mind would have changed the outcome

In-State Tuition Bill Stalls; Gov Encouraged By Utah Compact Bill

SALT LAKE CITY, UT (kuer) - Immigration issues dominated yesterday's legislative debates on Utah's Capitol Hill. If fact, they were a big topic as well in Governor Gary Herbert's monthly news conference with reporters. Each day this session - lawmakers have lurched from one emotional immigration bill to next. In the end, what could result is passing a combination of bills that may make Utah unique in the nation. KUER'S Jenny Brundin reports.
READ MORE: http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kuer/news.newsmain/article/1/0/1767774/KUER.Local.News/In-State.Tuition.Bill.Stalls.Gov.Encouraged.By.Utah.Compact.Bill

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

House OKs immigration bill targeting employers

For the second time in two working days, the House overwhelmingly passed an immigration reform bill — this time targeting employers who hire undocumented workers and who don’t participate in the federal government’s E-Verify program.

House passes bill requiring Utah businesses to verify legal status of workers

SALT LAKE CITY — A bill that would penalize Utah businesses for failing to verify the legal status of it employees passed the House 49-20 on Tuesday.

HB253, sponsored by Rep. Chris Herrod R-Provo, would suspend the business licenses of companies with 15 workers or more that hire illegal immigrants. It would make the Utah Attorney General's Office and local law enforcement responsible for investigating complaints.

READ MORE: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705367255/House-passes-bill-requiring-Utah-businesses-to-verify-legal-status-of-workers.html

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Pollster: Utahns want immigration solution, just not sure what it is

SALT LAKE CITY — When it comes to illegal immigration — one of the state's toughest, trickiest issues — Utahns seem to want a solution, but just aren't sure what it is.
"I don't know of an issue that's been more confusing for a long, long time," said pollster Dan Jones, who has been conducting surveys on the issue for years.

READ MORE: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705367185/Pollster--Utahns-want-immigration-solution-just-not-sure-what-it-is.html

Monday, February 21, 2011

Utahns favor guest-worker immigration bill

SALT LAKE CITY — Of the several illegal immigration proposals floating around the Legislature, Utahns favor one that would provide work permits.

A KSL/Deseret News poll found 71 percent of residents like the idea of state-issued work permits for undocumented immigrants that allow them to remain in the country if they have a job and undergo a criminal background check.

READ MORE: http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=14446664

Utahns favor guest-worker bill letting illegals stay

SALT LAKE CITY — Of the several illegal immigration proposals floating around the Legislature, Utahns favor one that would provide work permits.

A Deseret News/KSL-TV poll found 71 percent of residents like the idea of state-issued work permits for undocumented immigrants that allow them to remain in the country if they have a job and undergo a criminal background check.

READ MORE: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705367122/Utahns-favor-guest-worker-bill-letting-illegals-stay.html

As Utah's immigration battle brews, Sen. Luz Robles maintains her voice

SALT LAKE CITY — It's not a fancy community council room with a polished pulpit and big, leather chairs where leaders direct the city's business with pomp and circumstance. It's the back room of a public library in Rose Park, a musty, boxy place with shabby carpet, plastic seats and glaring fluorescent lights. The people who meet there don't wear ties and shiny shoes. They're the kind of folks who sit back during an important meeting, the dust of the day still settling off their work pants, with one well-worn tennis shoe propped up on the chair in front of them.

READ MORE: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700111931/As-Utahs-immigration-battle-brews-Sen-Luz-Robles-maintains-her-voice.html

Latino community urged to sign Utah Compact

SALT LAKE CITY — Latinos turned out in large numbers Sunday for what was billed as an "urgent community meeting" focusing on the Utah Legislature's attempts to deal with illegal immigrants.

"There's a lot of concern," said community organizer Tony Yapias. "Families are worried. Concerned."

READ MORE: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705367136/Latino-community-urged-to-sign-Utah-Compact.html

Latinos voice opposition to Utah immigration bill

The young woman stood alone in the back of the meeting hall, tears streaming down her cheeks.

On Sunday, she had come to Centro Civico Mexicano in Salt Lake City for an update on enforcement-only immigration legislation and several other measures being considered by state lawmakers targeting undocumented immigrants.

Hundreds attend ‘urgent' Latino community meeting

SALT LAKE CITY -- Latinos turned out in large numbers Sunday for what was billed as an "urgent community meeting" focusing on the Utah Legislature's attempts to deal with illegal immigrants.

"There's a lot of concern," said community organizer Tony Yapias. "Families are worried, concerned."
About 500 Latinos turned out over the course of a five-hour meeting at Centro Civico Mexicano in Salt Lake City. Several said they were fearful and feel targeted by lawmakers.

SEE VIDEO AND READ MORE: http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=14451793

TV2: Utah Latino Community Upset Over Immigration Bill Passing Utah House

(KUTV) SALT LAKE CITY – Hundreds of new names may have been added to the "Utah Compact" on immigration.
A community gathering at Centro Civico Mexicano held a debate tonight.
Activist Tony Yapias says 300 people signed the Compact, which says immigration is primarily a federal policy.

READ MORE: http://connect2utah.com/news-story/?nxd_id=132216

ABC4: Utah Latinos rally against legislation

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) – Latinos rally against anti-immigration legislation.

“We believe the Latino people are being used as pawns to advance some of the political people on the hill,” says Mike Picardi, an activist.

Refusing to be pawns, Latinos are working on a game plan.

Friday, February 18, 2011

Sandstrom’s immigration bill clears House

Rep. Stephen Sandstrom stood for two hours Friday while his fellow House legislators debated, changed, questioned and struggled with his enforcement-only immigration bill that had waited 10 months for this moment.

And when it passed 58-15, he smiled and still didn’t sit down. Instead, he was quickly encircled by TV cameras and fellow lawmakers — being peppered with questions and sought out for handshakes.

Utah House passes Sandstrom's immigration enforcement bill

SALT LAKE CITY — A controversial illegal immigration enforcement bill modeled after Arizona legislation passed Friday in the House.
HB70, sponsored by Rep. Stephen Sandstrom, R-Orem, was approved 58-15 after nearly two hours of often impassioned debate on the House floor. Two Democrats joined the GOP majority and one Republican crossed party lines in the decidedly partisan vote.

READ MORE: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705367020/Utah-House-passes-Sandstroms-immigration-enforcement-bill.html

House panel approves repeal of in-state college tuition for illegal immigrants

SALT LAKE CITY — High school student Daniel Reyna made an impassioned plea to lawmakers Friday against repealing in-state college tuition for illegal immigrants.
"I strive to be able to go to college but because of my status, my aspiration for this dream seems unreachable," said Reyna, whose undocumented parents brought him from Argentina as a child.

READ MORE: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705367000/House-panel-approves-repeal-of-in-state-college-tuition-for-illegal-immigrants.html

Senate passes immigration resolution

SJR12 • The Senate on Thursday endorsed a call for Congress to address the illegal immigration issue.

It voted 25-0 to pass SJR12 by Sen. Stuart Reid, R-Ogden, and sent it to the House. “It calls upon Congress to do their job when it comes to immigration,” Reid said.

Bill allows help for refugee driver exams

A bill to allow refugees to use a translator when they take the driver license exam is headed to the Governor’s Office.

“The ability to drive and get around is critical for self-sufficiency,” said Rep. David Litvack, D-Salt Lake City, the House sponsor of the bill.

Utah Senate considering immigrant driving cards

SALT LAKE CITY — A Senate bill repealing Utah's driving privilege cards used by thousands of illegal immigrants could be replaced by a measure to keep the cards but require background checks.

READ MORE: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700110982/Utah-Senate-considering-immigrant-driving-cards.html

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Utah Compact recognized; poll shows Utahns like it, too

SALT LAKE CITY — One of the honorees at Latino Day at the Capitol was not a person, but a document.
The Utah Coaltion of La Raza awarded the Utah Compact a Cesar Chavez Peace & Justice Award on Wednesday. The third annual Latino Day recognized war veterans, soldiers, business owners, teachers and others for their contributions to the nation and state.

READ MORE: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705366875/Utah-Compact-recognized-poll-shows-Utahns-like-it-too.html

Latino Day honors those who answered nation’s call

Chief Warrant Officer Fabian Salazar stood stiffly at attention, his eyes straight ahead — never betraying a single emotion.

But his brain churned with memories of Chief Warrant Officer Theodore Cotco-Manes as taps echoed through the Rotunda of the Capitol.

“We were best friends,” Salazar, 49, said. “Brothers. I always think of him.”

Both were in the Utah National Guard, but Cotco-Manes died of leukemia in 2005.

Bill aims to send message to feds about illegal immigrant medical care

SALT LAKE CITY — Doctors and hospitals providing emergency medical care to illegal immigrants would be able to seek reimbursement under a bill a House committee approved Wednesday.

HB165, sponsored by Rep. Chris Herrod, R-Provo, would create an account in the Utah Department of Health to provide the payments, which legislative fiscal analysts estimate at $26.3 million a year.

"In passing this out favorably we're saying somehow we're finding a way to pay for this and I, in good conscience, can't do that," Rep. Rebecca Chavez-Houck, D-Salt Lake, told the House Health and Human Services Committee

READ MORE: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705366829/Bill-aims-to-send-message-to-feds-about-illegal-immigrant--medical-care.html

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Utah House committee approves illegal immigrant guest worker bill

SALT LAKE CITY — A proposed guest worker program for illegal immigrants has some of Utah's most conservative folks lining up behind it, while some of the more liberal types staked a position against it.
At a House committee meeting Tuesday on Rep. Bill Wright's HB116, ranchers and farmers, including former state legislator Dave Ure, testified the bill would provide them much needed labor.

"In today's society, you cannot find anyone to work on farms," said Ure, a Kamas dairy owner. "There's not two kids at South Summit High School who know which end of a pitchfork to lean on."

READ MORE: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705366789/Utah-House-committee-approves-illegal-immigrant-guest-worker-bill.html

Robles seeks GOP backing for immigration bill

Sen. Luz Robles will unveil the fiscal note to her immigration reform bill Wednesday to the House Republican Caucus that, according to legislative analysts, would generate $11.3 million in revenue during the first six months after it is enacted and $20 million the following year.

Legislative panel advances guest-worker bill

Rep. Bill Wright’s guest-worker immigration bill passed out of committee 6-1 Tuesday despite questions about its constitutionality and its ability to be enacted without a federal waiver.

The legislation would allow employers to enter into a guest-worker contract for two years and would be put into place whether the federal government proceeds with granting a waiver or not.

Utah immigration bill seeks middle ground in debate

In state legislatures across the country, most of the immigration bills being debated aim to crack down on illegal immigration. Legislators are trying to cut off illegal immigrants from receiving public benefits, deny their U.S.-born children citizenship and force them out of states by granting local police the power to enforce immigration laws.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

BYU Daily Universe: The wrong target

Inevitably, when just about anything gets discussed in Utah, the LDS Church gets dragged into the argument. The latest immigration debate is no exception.

Last week, prominent Latino activist Raul Lopez-Vargas took a new approach to the debate, sending a letter to Mexican President Felipe Calderon asking him to suspend visas for LDS missionaries until the Church takes a stronger stance against bills like the current immigration enforcement bill being considered by the state legislature.

READ MORE: http://universe.byu.edu/node/13967

In Utah, immigrant rights advocate takes aim at Mormon Church

An immigrant rights advocate in Utah is trying to provoke the Mormon Church into taking a firmer stand against state-level immigration crackdowns by petitioning the Mexican government to suspend all Mormon missionary visas.

Raul Lopez-Vargas, who describes himself as a grassroots Latino leader, wants the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to sign the Utah Compact, an agreement among business and religious leaders that says illegal immigration enforcement should be left to the federal government.

READ MORE: http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout/20110214/us_yblog_thelookout/in-utah-immigrant-rights-advocate-takes-aim-at-mormon-church;_ylt=AlkAH6LiR_boz1dbPZefcZyGXMZ_;_ylu=X3oDMTRoNjBhMTNuBGFzc2V0A3libG9nX3RoZWxvb2tvdXQvMjAxMTAyMTQvaW4tdXRhaC1pbW1pZ3JhbnQtcmlnaHRzLWFkdm9jYXRlLXRha2VzLWFpbS1hdC1tb3Jtb24tY2h1cmNoBHBvcwMyMARzZWMDeW5fZXh0ZW5kZWRfc3VtbWFyeV9saXN0BHNsawNpbnV0YWhpbW1pZ3I-

Panel advances bill targeting those who hire undocumented

The first immigration bill of the legislative session to tackle employer sanctions on hiring undocumented workers passed out of committee 9-4 Monday, despite concerns by the bill’s author that it was stripped of a key provision.

Rep. Chris Herrod’s HB253 was touted by the Provo Republican as a companion piece of legislation to the enforcement-only immigration bill sponsored by Rep. Stephen Sandstrom, R-Orem. Herrod’s proposal would target employers that hired undocumented workers, suspending their business licenses for three days on a first offense and for a year on a second violation.

Lawmakers pushing immigration bills receive threats

Two state lawmakers running immigration reform bills were e-mailed perceived death threats over the weekend and Utah Highway Patrol authorities confirmed Monday they are investigating the matter and taking it “very seriously.”

Reps. Stephen Sandstrom, R-Orem, and Chris Herrod, R-Provo, were the only two state lawmakers to receive the one-and-a-half page letter, confirmed top state law enforcement officials, who said they were too early in the investigation to determine the severity of the threat.

Should illegal immigrants gain legal status if they go to college?

In Obama's State of the Union address last month, he took on the issue of illegal immigration, saying Congress should work together on coming up with laws to enforce and protect U.S. borders and to address the undocumented workers.
But he also voiced his support of the DREAM Act, which was shot down in December but was set to allow illegal immigrant students who have lived in the U.S. for most of their lives to be eligible for citizenship if they completed a college degree or two years of military service. According to The Hill, Democrats plan on reintroducing the bill this session.

READ MORE: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700109850/Should-illegal-immigrants-gain-legal-status-if-they-go-to-college.html

Immigration bills putting Utah Latino community on edge

SALT LAKE CITY — Illegal immigration continues to be a hot topic in Utah on several fronts.
Various bills are slowly but surely winding their way through the 2011 Legislature and, according to one activist, are putting the Latino community on edge. Also, Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, trotted out his federal proposal again Monday.

Meantime, a Latino activist delivered a letter to Salt Lake City's Mexican Consulate urging Mexico's president to suspend the visas of Mormon missionaries until the LDS Church takes a stronger position on immigration.

READ MORE: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705366697/Immigration-bills-putting-Utah-Latino-community-on-edge.html

Immigration law should avoid unfunded mandates

One of the toughest issues that we face in this year's legislative session deals with immigration. The issue is being looked at from many perspectives, but first and foremost from the enforcement perspective. Last year, the Arizona Legislature passed an enforcement-based law that has been studied by many in Utah. Most lawmakers will agree that there needs to be an enforcement aspect to immigration reform, but in my opinion we can't stop there.

READ MORE: http://www.thespectrum.com/article/20110215/OPINION/102150305

Monday, February 14, 2011

Immigration bills putting Utah Latino community on edge

Mexicanos en Utah denuncian racismo en mormones

Un grupo de ciudadanos mexicanos de Utah pidió en Salt Lake City que el Gobierno de México suspenda el otorgamiento de visas a misioneros mormones, debido a que legisladores de esa fe respaldan proyectos de ley antiinmigrantes.

"Exigimos que el Gobierno mexicano no reanude la emisión de las visas hasta que la jerarquía de la Iglesia de los Santos de los Últimos Días (mormones) públicamente pida a sus miembros electos como representantes que no introduzcan propuestas de ley que atenten contra los derechos humanos de los inmigrantes" , declaró Raúl López Vargas, portavoz del grupo

LEER MAS: http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/744760.html

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.

READ MORE: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705366684/Hatch-proposes-to-rein-in-illegal-immigration.html

Utah: Former Latino leader requests halt of LDS missionary visas

SALT LAKE CITY —

The immigration controversy has reached the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with one Latino member of the Utah community's request that Mexico suspend all LDS missionary visas to the nation.

Raul Lopez-Vargas, former vice president of Centro Civico Mexicano, one of Utah's oldest Latino community centers, has sent a letter to Mexican Presdient Felipe Calderon seeking the temporary suspension of visas for LDS missionaries. He also delivered the letter in person Monday to the Mexican consulate in Utah.

SEE VIDEO AND READ MORE: http://www.fox13now.com/news/kstu-latino-requests-visas-lds,0,3282861.story

Utah: Activist delivers petition urging Mexico to curb LDS missionary visas

A Latino activist delivered a signed letter to the Mexican Consulate on Monday that asks Mexican President Felipe Calderón’s government to suspend visas to Mormon missionaries doing work in that country.

The delivery took but just a few minutes. Raul Lopez-Vargas, a former vice president of the community group Centro Civico, walked alone into the busy lobby and handed a consulate official the letter and several other documents for delivery.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Propuesta antiinmigrante en Utah costaría más de 11 millones de dólares al año

Denver, 7 ene (EFE).- Los gobiernos locales de Utah gastarían hasta 11,3 millones de dólares adicionales al año para implementar un proyecto de ley que exige la verificación de los documentos migratorios de todos los detenidos, según un estudio del Legislativo estatal.

El informe difundido hoy revela que la implementación del proyecto de ley HB-70, del representante estatal Stephen Sandstrom, implicaría gastos de 713.000 dólares para la gobernación, en concepto de verificación de la situación migratoria de los arrestados y de entrenamiento para el personal de seguridad.

LEER MAS: http://www.google.com/hostednews/epa/article/ALeqM5hRYHMzcuyMnxUz4-Kdw5Hc7_wBlA?docId=1459337

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Latino activist urges Mexico to halt LDS missionary visas

A former vice president of a local community group has penned a letter to Mexican President Felipe Calderón seeking the temporary suspension of visas issued to Mormon missionaries in response to his view the LDS Church hasn’t stood tough against Utah-based immigration reform bills.

Group wants Mexico to suspend visas for Mormon missionaries

SALT LAKE CITY — A small group of Latino Utah residents wants the president of Mexico to suspend the visas of Mormon missionaries until the LDS Church takes a stronger stand on the immigration issue.

Raúl López-Vargas says he has collected about 100 signatures on a petition that he plans to deliver to the Mexican Consulate of Salt Lake City on Monday. He is calling for Mexican President Felipe Calderón to sit down with the leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and ask them to take a concrete position on immigration.

READ MORE: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705366591/Group-wants-Mexico-to-suspend-visas-for-Mormon-missionaries.html

Utah immigration proposal catching on in Indiana, other states

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Compact, which has been called a sensible approach to immigration reform, is catching on in other states.
Already, Florida, Georgia, Nebraska and Maine have crafted legislation similar to the Utah Compact. This week, Indiana legislators unveiled a compact of their own.

READ MORE: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700109359/Utah-immigration-proposal-catching-on-in-Indiana-other-states.html

YOUTUBE VIDEO: TONY EN EL CAPITOLIO

Amigos aqui esta el VIDEO "Resumen de la Semana" lo que paso en la Legislatura del Estado de Utah.

VER VIDEO AQUI: http://www.youtube.com/user/tyapias?feature=mhum

Friday, February 11, 2011

Sandstrom’s immigration bill clears first hurdle

The enforcement-only immigration bill cleared its first major hurdle Friday when it was passed out of a House committee — giving its chief sponsor a victory and moving it out for debate on the House floor.

Rep. Stephen Sandstrom, R-Orem, made the case for his bill inside a packed hearing room lined with extra security and harsh admonishments by Committee Chairman Curtis Oda, who threatened to arrest anyone who was disorderly or engaged in outbursts.

Sandstrom's immigration bill clears Utah House committee

SALT LAKE CITY -- A House committee approved Rep. Stephen Sandstrom's enforcement-only illegal immigration bill Friday.

Sen. Stephen Sandstrom speaks at a hearing about his proposed immigration house bill on Capitol Hill. (Tom Smart, Deseret News)

"We need a deterrent in the state of Utah," Sandstrom, R-Orem, told the House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Standing Committee. "We have no deterrent right now."

After more than three hours of testimony, the committee voted 9-3 to move the HB70 to the House. Democrats cast the dissenting votes.

READ MORE: http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=14345836&s_cid=rss-148

Sandstrom's immigration bill passes House committee

SALT LAKE CITY — Rep. Stephen Sandstrom, R-Orem, won the first-round fight to have his immigration bill made law in the state of Utah on Friday as a House committee passed the bill 9 to 3. After the vote, Sandstrom received high-fives and hugs from fellow Republican lawmakers and expressed his relief to finally have the bill moving forward in the legislative process.

READ MORE: http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/legislature/article_1683a27a-364a-11e0-8628-001cc4c002e0.html

Investigators say Latino community helped bust alleged illegal gun dealers

SALT LAKE CITY —

The arrests and seizure of nearly a dozen firearms comes after months of work by the Secure Task Force in Salt Lake City.

The task force at the Office for the Utah Attorney General's Office were able to infiltrate an illegal gun selling operation by tapping into the local Latino community.

READ MORE: http://www.fox13now.com/news/local/kstu-illegal-gun-dealers-arrests-undocumented-tipsters,0,6199966.story

Sandstrom's immigration bill clears Utah House committee

SALT LAKE CITY — A proposed enforcement-only illegal immigration law that some say could define Utah's image for years to come cleared its first hurdle Friday.

After more than three hours of dueling statistics, emotional anecdotes and points of law, the House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee voted 9-3 to advance HB70 to the House. Seven of the 12 members are co-sponsors of the bill. Democrats cast the dissenting votes.

READ MORE: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705366534/Sandstroms-immigration-bill-clears-Utah-House-committee.html?pg=1

Immigration bill passes Utah House committee

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - A controversial Utah immigration bill is now one step closer to becoming law.

Late Friday afternoon, a house committee overwhelmingly approved Representative Stephen Sandstrom's tough immigration bill.

READ MORE: http://www.abc4.com/content/news/slc/story/Immigration-bill-passes-Utah-House-committee/Oi6hfEXwS0mkhKFPhKVswA.cspx

Utah Driving Privilege Card: Don’t repeal safety program

Six years ago, Utah created a driving privilege card for illegal aliens. The reason was to promote highway safety and to try to ensure that all drivers carry insurance.

The Legislature wanted to do the utmost to make certain that everyone driving on the state’s roads, including illegal aliens, has had driver safety training and passed standard driving exams in English.

Rep. Sandstrom unveils revised immigration enforcement bill

Rep. Stephen Sandstrom, R-Orem, unveiled the latest version of his immigration enforcement bill, House Bill 70, on Thursday.
The bill in its original form would have required law enforcement officials to verify the legal immigration status of every person they pulled over and suspected might be in violation of the immigration law. The bill now states an officer may check the legal status on class B and class C misdemeanor suspects, but still requires the officer to check the status of all class A misdemeanor and felony suspects.

READ MORE: http://www.heraldextra.com/article_345ea146-3573-11e0-8949-001cc4c03286.html

Sandstrom unveils changes to immigration bill

The change came about after local governments balked at the fiscal note on HB70, which estimated the cost of enforcing it at between $5.3 million and $11.3 million. The Orem Republican said by giving police the choice of running legal status checks on those pulled over for Class B or C misdemeanors, it will “significantly lower” the fiscal note. He also plans to introduce legislation that would add revenue streams to the bill by attaching a fee to wire money transfers between Utah and foreign countries as well as raising the fee on getting a driving privilege card.

Sandstrom insists new illegal immigration isn't watered down

SALT LAKE CITY — Regardless of the latest changes to an enforcement-only illegal immigration bill, the head of the state's police chiefs says Utahns will be disappointed because their perceptions won't match reality should it become law.

Illegal immigrants taken to jail for misdemeanor crimes won't be deported, said Layton Police Chief Terry Keefe.

READ MORE: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705366412/Sandstrom-insists-new-illegal-immigration-isnt-watered-down.html

Sandstrom says immigration bill "not watered down" after changes

SALT LAKE CITY — Rep. Stephen Sandstrom (R-Orem) is making changes to his controversial immigration bill.

Sandstrom plans to reduce costs of his bill by giving officers discretion when investigating possible illegal immigrants. The language in the original bill said "mandatory arrest and investigation of perceived illegal immigrants," but the new bill gives officers more options when it comes to lesser crimes.

Sandstrom insists new illegal immigration isn't watered down

SALT LAKE CITY — Rep. Stephen Sandstrom insisted Thursday that changes he made to his enforcement-only illegal immigration bill don't water it down.

The Orem Republican announced revisions to HB70 that he says would still remove illegal immigrants from Utah and discourage others from coming to the state. At the same time, he said it will give local police agencies more latitude in enforcing the proposed law.

Read More: http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=14331117

Illegal in Utah: One undocumented immigrant's story

OGDEN, Utah

(ABC 4 News) – Illegal immigrants have been a hot topic in Utah for years. Immigration laws have been discussed in the statehouse and high profile news stories circled around the immigration issue. ABC 4 wanted to take action to give you another perspective on this issue.

Read More: http://www.abc4.com/mostpopular/story/Illegal-in-Utah-One-undocumented-immigrants-story/G11s8omsrE2jhfymbQxUjg.cspx

Rep. Sandstrom unveils revised immigration bill

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - As ABC 4 reported, there is a new version of Representative Sandstrom's controversial immigration bill.

This new version gives police more leeway when it comes to questioning and detaining illegal immigrants.

Read More: http://www.abc4.com/content/news/state/story/Rep-Sandstrom-unveils-revised-immigration-bill/GJhxnfc0tE2OTtXpIJtmWg.cspx

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Arizona leaders in Utah to talk about immigration law

SALT LAKE CITY -- Leaders from Arizona will be in Utah today to talk about the implications of the Arizona immigration law and to share their experience in enforcing it.

They will meet with Utah business leaders and policy makers to look at some of the possible economic impacts from enforcing the immigration bill. Arizona leaders want to discuss some of the repercussions from the law and what it could mean for Utah, if Utah adopts a similar law.

READ MORE & VIDEO: http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=14325500

Rep. Sandstrom: Governor comfortable with my immigration bill

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - "Significant changes" have been now made to Representative Stephen Sandstrom’s controversial immigration bill.

Sandstrom's bill was supposed to get its first public hearing Wednesday, but it was pulled so he could rewrite it.

READ MORE AND VIDEO: http://www.abc4.com/content/news/top_stories/story/Rep-Sandstrom-Governor-comfortable-with-my/QSTqaokyZkaYjmMl9ZifQw.cspx

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Utah: Driving cards for undocumented may be nixed

A Senate committee Wednesday recommended doing away with Utah’s “driving privilege” card for undocumented motorists — despite arguments that they will continue to drive but without auto insurance.

The Senate Transportation, Public Utilities and Technology Committee voted 4-1 to send SB138 by Sen. Stephen Urquhart, R-St. George, to the full Senate. It would do away with those cards — held by more than 40,000 drivers — entirely by next Jan. 1.

Utah: Sandstrom to unveil tweaked immigration bill

Rep. Stephen Sandstrom said the delay for his committee hearing on his enforcement-only immigration reform bill was due to last-minute changes in the language at the suggestion of Gov. Gary Herbert and local government officials.

The Orem Republican was supposed to have had the hearing on HB70 Wednesday afternoon, but it has now been changed to 2 p.m. Friday.

Utah: Senate committee votes to eliminate driving privilege card for illegal immigrants

SALT LAKE CITY — Illegal immigrants in Utah might have to find alternate means of transportation next year.

The Senate Transportation Committee approved a bill Wednesday that would do away with the state's driving privilege card by Dec. 31, 2011. The law would repeal the use of tax identification or ITIN numbers to obtain the card and prohibit the state driver license division from issuing it. SB138 now moves to the full Senate for consideration.

READ MORE: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705366339/Senate-committee-votes-to-eliminate-driving-privilege-card-for-illegal-immigrants.html

Sandstrom questions the estimated cost to enforce his proposed illegal immigration bill

SALT LAKE CITY — With Rep. Stephen Sandstrom's controversial illegal immigration bill scheduled for its first legislative hearing Wednesday, the Orem Republican is questioning the accuracy and motivation behind the cost estimate to enforce his proposed law.

The Legislative Fiscal Analysts Office released figures this week showing it would cost local governments $5.3 million to $11.3 million annually to detain and verify the status of people suspected to be in the country illegally. The Utah League of Cities and Towns supplied legislative number crunchers data used to reach the estimates.

READ MORE: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705366256/Sandstrom-questions-the-estimated-cost-to-enforce-his-proposed-illegal-immigration-bill.html

Paul Mero: Punishment is misguided, and Utah lacks authority

Editor's note: The following speech was delivered as part of a debate Friday night, Jan. 21, 2011, sponsored by the Sutherland Institute, a Salt Lake City-based conservative think tank. The debate addressed the question of whether Utah should enforce immigration laws. Paul Mero is president of Sutherland.

READ MORE: http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/immigration/article_ce9fb55a-26ce-11e0-af58-001cc4c002e0.html

Utah Latinos concerned about more than immigration

Immigration is a topic that continues to be equated with Latinos, and during this year's legislative session, immigration will be a much-discussed issue.

But Latinos are not single-issue voters. Many other issues are equally or even more important than immigration, including education, employment and health care.

READ MORE: http://www.standard.net/topics/utah-legislature/2011/02/03/latinos-concerned-about-more-immigration

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Utah: Hearing set for Sandstrom immigration bill

The high-profile enforcement-only immigration bill carried by Rep. Stephen Sandstorm gets its first official trial when it comes up debate Wednesday before a House Committee.

Sandstrom’s bill, HB70, has been the subject of local and national scrutiny and the lawmaker has been traveling the state making changes to distance it from Arizona’s enforcement-only law — parts of which were enjoined by a federal judge.

Utah: Guest worker permits proposed

SALT LAKE CITY — Republican senators worried about the number of immigration bills in the Utah Legislature are pushing for one comprehensive bill, even as a second bill granting amnesty to illegal immigrants has been unveiled.

Rep. Bill Wright, R-Holden, told The Associated Press House that Bill 116 will allow illegal immigrants already in the state to register for a guest worker permit.

READ MORE: http://www.thespectrum.com/article/20110208/NEWS05/110208012/Guest-worker-permits-proposed-

Sandstrom's immigration bill could cost millions

SALT LAKE CITY -- Cities and counties fear enforcing Rep. Stephen Sandstrom's proposed illegal immigration law would slice into already strapped budgets and divert police from other important duties.

"How hard is it going to hit us? What is the cost?" asked Bountiful Police Chief Tom Ross. "Daily we're having to juggle resources. I don't look to take on a new challenge if we don't have to."

READ MORE: http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=14297367

Utah cities, counties fear Sandstrom's illegal immigration bill would tap strapped resources

One is to impose a 1 percent or minimum $5 fee on all wire transfers of money from Utah to foreign countries, with proceeds going to local police agencies. The fee would be refunded on state income tax returns. Sandstrom reasoned that many illegal immigrants send money home but don't file tax returns.

He said he also may propose a $20 fee on driving privilege cards.

READ MORE: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705366144/Utah-cities-counties-fear-Sandstroms-illegal-immigration-bill-would-tap-strapped-resources.html?pg=2

(Rep. Sandstrom) Immigration bill carries big price tag (11 Million)

Rep. Stephen Sandstrom’s enforcement-only immigration reform bill could cost local governments in excess of $11 million, according to financial data released Monday by the Legislative Fiscal Analysts office.

Sandstrom has been in discussions with various groups — including the Utah League of Cities and Towns — in an attempt to bring that number down and suggested during a meeting Monday that a way to offset those costs would be to impose a fee on wire transfers of money from Utah to other countries as well as adding a fee to the existing driving privilege card.

Monday, February 7, 2011

UTAH: Immigration bill carries big price tag (11 million)

The cost of Rep. Stephen Sandstrom’s enforcement-only immigration reform bill to local governments could top $11 million, according to the financial analysis released Monday by the Legislative Fiscal Analysts office.

Sandstrom has been working with various groups — including the League of Cities — in an attempt to bring that number down and the fiscal analysts provided a cost range for enacting the bill. That range is anywhere between $5.3 million and $11.3 million for detainment and verification of immigration status.

AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL: Senators look for immigration deal

Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) have rekindled their alliance on immigration reform, taking some early steps to test the political will for addressing the contentious issue this year.

Their call list hasn’t focused so much on House and Senate members who’ve been reliable pro-immigration votes in the past. Instead, they’re looking to a strange-bedfellows mix of conservative and liberal constituencies that can provide a “safety net” of support, as Graham put it, once the issue heats up.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0211/48956.html#ixzz1DI47Pm2o

Tracking (Utah) immigration: Bills in works

SALT LAKE CITY -- Going into this year's legislative session it was expected that immigration would be the main debate amongst lawmakers this year. It's two weeks into the 45-day session and, legislatively speaking, there has been little accomplished on the issue. But that doesn't mean Utah's lawmakers aren't meeting together and talking about it.

READ MORE: http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/legislature/article_22144e0e-7bd3-5d04-b870-4c2b51694612.html

Utah's Arturo Morales Llan: Is legal immigration advocate a hero or hypocrite?

The debate took a sudden, personal turn. The event had focused on whether Utah should pass a tough Arizona-style enforcement law on immigration, but a man stepped to the audience mic to attack Arturo Morales-LLan — who supports legislation that most Latino leaders vociferously oppose.

The critic pointed and said, “You talk about obeying the law … but you broke the law.” He publicly alleged that Morales-LLan worked without legal permission when he first came to America on a student visa. Others yelled “Sí” in agreement during a recent all-Spanish debate at Salt Lake City’s Northwest Middle School.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Immigration: Marriage no guarantee couples can stay together.

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers who knocked on Michael Gordon’s door at 6:30 a.m. wanted to know if he had seen the woman in a photograph they carried.

He replied no, but let them inside to ask his wife, Gloria. The couple quickly learned the photo was a ruse — it was Gloria they were after. The officers let her kiss her children goodbye, then took her away.

For mother’s sacrifice, U. student from Peru keeps plugging along

Enrique didn’t know why he was living in Salt Lake City.

He was 11, fuming at his mother for pulling him away from the life and friends he knew in Peru and wondering what this strange place was — one full of white faces who spoke a funny language.

It wasn’t easier in school. He picked up English quickly, but learning the culture and customs took longer. So, he buried himself in schoolwork.

Life in the shadows: Undocumented residents speak out

Enrique is frustrated and scared. · The Peruvian had pinned his hopes on the DREAM Act, but when the federal legislation failed to pass, he wondered what would happen after he earned his degree in urban planning from the University of Utah. · He said he has kept faith that the decision his mother made when he was 11 to come to the United States illegally wouldn’t haunt him as an adult. He has already made sacrifices — including not having seen his father in 10 years.

Lawmakers’ talk of reform rattles undocumented SLC worker

Jorge’s first trip to America was in 1998. Legally.

He came on a work visa to sell ski boot soles in New York City. The business eventually failed, however, when investors pulled the money and he was forced to return to Mexico with no job, no income and a wife and two children.

During his time in the United States, however, he saw opportunity that didn’t exist in Mexico. He was a college graduate with a degree, but obtaining legal citizenship would take about 20 years and jobs in Mexico were hard to come by.

Utah Progressives decry state’s attempts to enact immigration reform

The Coalition of Utah Progressives decried immigration bills under consideration by the Utah Legislature at a Sunday press conference, calling four of the bills irresponsible and a grandstand for political posturing.

In front of the Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building in downtown Salt Lake City, three members of the local advocacy group read a prepared statement and held brightly colored signs, castigating legislators for what they said are money-wasting and unconstitutional efforts to address immigration reform at the local and state level. In addition, the group called on congressional representatives to work with President Barack Obama in reforming federal immigration policy.

READ MORE: http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/51200246-76/immigration-reform-utah-bills.html.csp

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Utah: Bill seeks fed money for medical care

Rep. Chris Herrod released a bill Friday that would require the state to request or sue the federal government for reimbursements to hospitals that provided medical care to immigrants who are in Utah illegally.

The Provo Republican has said he is carrying HB165 — the medical reimbursement bill — because he believes the current system is bringing an undue cost to the state by providing medical services to the undocumented population.

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/51193481-76/bill-undocumented-herrod-business.html.csp

Panel calls on Congress to fix immigration laws

SJR12 • Sen. Stuart Reid’s joint resolution urging Congress to address and resolve the illegal immigration issue passed unanimously out of committee on a day when Sen. Orrin Hatch was asked to do the same thing by the state Legislature during his visit to the Capitol.

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/51193153-76/congress-hatch-illegal-immigration.html.csp

Illegal immigration reform not likely until borders are secure, Hatch says

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah legislators Friday wanted to know what Congress and Sen. Orrin Hatch in particular intend to do about illegal immigration.

"There's a lot of frustration," House Minority Leader David Litvack, D-Salt Lake, told the state's senior senator.

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705365959/Illegal-immigration-reform-not-likely-until-borders-are-secure-Hatch-says.html

Illegal immigration a priority for Utah legislators

SALT LAKE CITY — A resolution calling on Congress and specifically Utah's congressional delegation to tackle illegal immigration passed a Senate committee Friday.

It was among three new pieces of legislation on the issue introduced into the Legislature Friday, including one calling for the federal government to repay Utah doctors for treating undocumented immigrants.

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705365928/Illegal-immigration-a-priority-for-Utah-legislators.html

Friday, February 4, 2011

Sandstrom, Herrod not interested in comprehensive immigration bill

SALT LAKE CITY — Two lawmakers pushing enforcement-only illegal immigration proposals are digging in their heels against efforts to combine their bills with others because they believe the result would be amnesty.
Reps. Stephen Sandstrom, R-Orem, and Chris Herrod, R-Provo, say in a news release a comprehensive bill isn't possible "given the focus of the guest worker bills on amnesty for illegal aliens."

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705365884/Sandstrom-Herrod-not-interested-in-comprehensive-immigration-bill.html

Matheson questions state-by-state immigration law

Sen. Luz Robles had a private meeting with U.S. Rep. Jim Matheson Thursday at the Capitol to discuss the viability of her immigration reform bill that is heavily dependent on obtaining a federal waiver to function in Utah.

Matheson said he was getting up to speed on the bill, but he recognized the challenges her bill would face.

“I get the frustration,” Matheson said. “I question whether you want to have a checkerboard system of 50 states have different immigration rules across this country. That doesn’t make a lot of sense to me.”

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/51187012-76/already-bill-immigration-lived.html.csp

New guest worker bill enters the immigration debate

Rep. Bill Wright unveiled his guest worker immigration bill Thursday and suggested his proposal might be the framework for a comprehensive piece of legislation that has so far been elusive in the legislative process.

Wright, R-Holden, said employers should have the right to access and hire the most productive employees.

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/51187201-76/bill-bramble-guest-process.html.csp

Thursday, February 3, 2011

2010: Más de 1400 Propuestas de ley Anti-Inmigrantes

Por Tony Yapias

Published: February 2, 2011

Salt Lake City, UTAH – Durante los últimos meses el debate sobre inmigración ilegal ha ganado mucho terreno a nivel nacional. Muchos llaman y preguntan ¿Qué estado es donde no hay leyes anti-inmigrantes? Ahora mi respuesta es “No hay un estado seguro” En el 2010, 46 estados de la unión Americana presentaron más de 1400 propuestas de leyes anti-inmigrantes y de ellos, 350 fueron implementados. El 2011 va romper el record de propuestas anti-inmigrantes.

Los estados cada año siguen presionando al gobierno federal a tomar el asunto de inmigración y ante la incapacidad de los políticos en Washington DC los estados están tomando la carta en el asunto con más agresividad que nunca. A raíz de la ley SB-1070 de Arizona, ahora todos los estados estan preparando proponer y pasar una ley similar.

¿Que nos espera el 2011 y 2012? Por ahora estamos en la defense con todas estas propuestas anti-inmigrantes ¿Una reforma migratoria? No reforma migratoria hasta después de las elecciones del 2012. Para que pase una reforma migratoria tenemos que tomar en cuenta que ciertas cosas tienen que cambiar a nivel nacional. Salir de la recesión económica que estamos viviendo y más trabajos para aquellos que se quedaron desempleados. Por último que el Presidente Obama sea re-electo en el 2012. Hay que recordar que la Cámara Baja está controlado por los Republicanos.

Mientras que el gobierno federal no hace nada al respecto, los estados van a seguir presionando y pasando leyes anti-inmigrantes e inconstitucionales. Solo las Cortes Federales son los que nos van a salvar de todas estas leyes. Aquí en Utah ya es una costumbre presentar propuestas anti-inmigrantes, que si pasarían, tendrían un gran impacto a nuestra comunidad. Lo más interesante es ver a los estados vecinos como Idaho, Colorado y Wyoming también están con la idea de la ley SB-1070 de Arizona.

Encima de todo están proponiendo cambiar la enmienda 14 de la constitución sobre la ciudadanía de los hijos de indocumentados. Los hijos de los indocumentados nacidos aquí en los Estados Unidos según ellos no tienen el derecho a ser ciudadanos. Es importante saber que aunque es fácil hablar de cambar la constitución, jamás pasaría. Toma en cuenta lo siguiente, la ultima enmienda a la constitución tomo más de 70 años en pasar y ser ratificado por los estados. Hablar de este asunto es simplemente ganarse votos. ¿Por qué? en pocos años los Latinos vamos a tener la fuerza y poder político y eso esta causando mucho miedo.

Todas estas leyes anti-inmigrantes, cambiar la constitución solo crea el resentimiento hacia estos políticos. En pocos años cuando ya podemos votar con mayor fuerza vamos a recordarlos. Aquellos republicanos que no apoyan al Latino gobernaran en la minoría por décadas. El clásico ejemplo de lo que viene es de estudiar lo que paso en California cuando pasaron la proposición 187 en 1994. El año pasado las candidatas al Senado y a la gobernación dijeron públicamente que sin el voto latino no podían ganar. Pero cuando estaban empezando sus campañas se olvidaron del voto latino hasta cuando era demasiado tarde. ¡Ups! Ahora es tiempo de cambiar y estar en nuestro lado.

Conversaciones representan las opiniones de Tony Yapias y no del Standard Examiner. Preguntas: (801) 577-3200. Correo electrónico: tyapias@yahoo.com. P.O. Box 2640 Salt Lake City, Utah 84110. Escucha “Pulso Latino” en radio Éxitos 1550 AM todos los martes 1:30 pm y sábados 10:00 am.

First-year legislator co-sponsoring immigration bill

SALT LAKE CITY -- A local freshman representative is keeping his promise to his constituents by co-sponsoring a Senate bill dealing with immigration.

"During my campaign, I heard from my voters they want something done, and that is the message they delivered to me loud and clear," Rep. Jeremy Peterson, R-Ogden, said during a news conference Wednesday at the Capitol.

http://www.standard.net/topics/utah-legislature/2011/02/02/first-year-legislator-co-sponsoring-immigration-bill

Utah Legislature: Investment Scams and Immigration

A lot of bills addressing illegal immigration were expected as the session began, but so far only five have been introduced. Democratic State Senator Luz Robles brought hers to a news conference yesterday along with its co-sponsor in the House, a newly-elected Republican from Ogden, Jeremy Peterson.

http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kuer/news.newsmain/article/1/0/1757890/KUER.Local.News/Utah.Legislature.Investment.Scams.and.Immigration

Illegal immigration debate starting to heat up in Utah Legislature

SALT LAKE CITY — A freshman Republican who is a member of the conservative Patrick Henry Caucus has agreed to champion a Democratic senator's illegal immigration bill in the Utah House.

Rep. Jeremy Peterson, R-Ogden, will co-sponsor Sen. Luz Robles' proposal for accountability and state-issued work permits for undocumented immigrants. Robles, D-Salt Lake, and Peterson held a news conference Wednesday to announce the alliance.

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705365771/Illegal-immigration-debate-starting-to-heat-up-in-Utah-Legislature.html

Key lawmakers, advisers huddle on immigration reform

Key lawmakers and activists from all corners of immigration reform held a closed-door meeting in Sen. Curtis Bramble’s office Wednesday night in an attempt to cobble together a comprehensive approach to the issue.

Bramble, who has opened a bill file called “Immigration Reform,” told the roughly 20 people, including House Speaker Becky Lockhart, that it was a chance to pass some meaningful legislation that would avoid pitfalls encountered by Arizona when it passed a constitutionally challenged enforcement-only law.

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/51178002-76/bill-bramble-enforcement-federal.html.csp

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Complex illegal immigration issue has many faces

Several Utah legislators have bills ready for the legislative session. I attended the November meeting at Dixie State College's Gardner Center that was billed as "A Legislative Forum on Illegal Immigration." I was interested in learning more about the Utah Compact and Utah Sen. Dennis Stowell's Arizona-style bill. Although I was offended by the anti-Pelosi jokes in what should have been a bipartisan gathering to discuss issues and not cast stones at either side, I stuck it out. A "forum," after all, is a venue for public discussion, and all people should feel welcome

http://www.thespectrum.com/article/20110202/OPINION/102020302

Utah among states where undocumented population declines

For the first time in three years, the number of undocumented immigrants in Utah declined slightly from its peak in 2007, according to a report released Tuesday by the Pew Hispanic Center.

Utah was one of a handful of states that showed a dip, both individually as well as when its sample size was lumped in with Nevada and Arizona. Both of those states also reflected declines in their illegal immigration numbers.

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/51170475-76/2007-arizona-enforcement-hispanic.html.csp

Bipartisan pair sponsors alternative immigration bill

Sen. Luz Robles picked up a Republican to sponsor her immigration bill in the House on Tuesday, giving her proposal the sought-after endorsement of an elected conservative who called the legislation “a fair approach to the issue.”

Rep. Jeremy Peterson, R-Ogden, has been in talks with Robles and other supporters of her bill prior to the beginning of the legislative session and said it was the only immigration bill that seemed to tackle “the broad spectrum” of the issue.

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/51170165-76/bill-card-doesn-enforcement.html.csp