Utah Republican lawmakers have unveiled a slate of immigration bills aimed at addressing illegal immigration and increasing penalties for crimes committed by migrants in the state. House Majority Whip Karianne Lisonbee led a press conference outlining the state’s efforts to take action on immigration policy following a surge in migrant numbers during the Biden administration.
The bills aim to strengthen enforcement, facilitate deportations of criminals, and crack down on criminal behavior among unauthorized migrants.
One key bill proposes expanding detention space for Immigration and Customs Enforcement ICE detainers, making it easier to deport migrants involved in crimes.
Another proposal from Rep. Candice Pierucci would increase penalties for migrants convicted of crimes, including repealing a 2019 law that reduced jail time for certain misdemeanants to prevent automatic deportation.
Other proposals include increasing penalties for human trafficking, gang crimes, driving without a license, and unauthorized squatting. Additionally, there are plans to enhance penalties for trafficking fentanyl, require more businesses to use E-Verify, and introduce a fee on international wire transfers.
The bills also address the impact of increased immigration on Utah communities, with some proposals aimed at supporting schools that have seen a surge in non-English speaking students. While lawmakers stress the importance of public safety, House Minority Leader Angela Romero expressed concerns that the conversation could blur the lines between vulnerable migrants and criminal activity, emphasizing the need to separate the two issues.
This legislative push marks a departure from Utah’s earlier approach to immigration, particularly the Utah Compact, which balanced federal immigration authority with a recognition of migrants’ contributions to the state. Despite this, lawmakers like Pierucci argue that the bills are focused on penalizing criminal behavior and not targeting law-abiding migrants.
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