THE REALITY OF SB 81 in UTAH

Senate Bill 81, called “Illegal Immigration”, has been touted by its legislators, the minutemen, and citizens that support it, as Utah’s way of dealing with all the “undocumented immigrants” residing in Utah.  SB 81 is viewed by many of its supporters,  as the solution for their frustration with the federal government’s failure to overhaul a broken system.  It purports to make sure that no person without “documents”, receives public benefits, state identification, employment, or housing, and if any infraction is committed, that person is turned over to Immigration officials for deportation.   But SB 81, presented as a solution to this country’s immigration crises, is a myth being perpetrated upon us all at great cost. The truth is that only federal comprehensive immigration reform can change the immigration situation in Utah.

In fact, SB 81 is creating a climate of fear, racial profiling and hate in a state that has always uniquely distinguished itself as a state founded by immigrants fleeing persecution; a state which values families, hard work and entrepreneurship.     It is important for all residents of Utah to step back from the fear and hate and understand SB 81 is not the solution and must be repealed.

One of the most threatening parts of SB81, for us all, is the cross deputization of local law enforcement as Immigration officers.  Our undocumented brothers and sisters live in constant fear of the police despite many of our counties and cities opting out of the program.   Their solution is to live in the shadows.   It can’t be that different than the fear the Jews had during the pogroms or when the Nazi’s knocked at their door.    Everyone’s safety is put in jeopardy when immigrants do not feel safe to come forward with crucial information when crimes are committed against them, their families or the larger community.  There are enough immigration agents in Utah without deputizing our law enforcement to do the job they did not sign up for.  Likewise, Utah’s criminal law is more than sufficient to handle the crimes that are committed by people with documents or without.  We don’t need the hate that this law has spawned when all our faith traditions preach a God of love and compassion.  As people of faith let us work together to see that this law is repealed before the damage to this state and to all of us is irreparable. 

Barbara Swezeda

Lawyer with the ACLU