SALT LAKE CITY -
Senate Bill 81, which allows police departments to cross-deputize officers as federal immigration agents, goes into effect Wednesday. Under S.B. 81, the Utah Attorney General's office will have a Fraudulent Documents Identification Unit to stop people providing false documentation to illegal immigrants. Public employers will be required to use a Status Verification System to verify the federal authorization status of new employees.
Some groups, including the Sutherland Institute in Salt Lake City, say cracking down on illegal immigrants should be handled on a federal level.
"That's where the real solution has to come from. In the interim, before they get off their duffs, we have to deal with the situation that we have undocumented immigrants here and what do we do? Do we drive them out or try to help them rise to the top and become productive members of society?" asks the Sutherland Institute's Derek Monson.
Many Utah police departments, including Salt Lake City's, say their officers will not be cross deputized. A major concern is that police efforts may be hindered by S.B. 81. Police informants who are also illegal immigrants may not be willing to help police for fear of deportation.
A representative for the Sutherland Institute said they may look to repeal the law if it has a negative effect on the state.
Some groups, including the Sutherland Institute in Salt Lake City, say cracking down on illegal immigrants should be handled on a federal level.
"That's where the real solution has to come from. In the interim, before they get off their duffs, we have to deal with the situation that we have undocumented immigrants here and what do we do? Do we drive them out or try to help them rise to the top and become productive members of society?" asks the Sutherland Institute's Derek Monson.
Many Utah police departments, including Salt Lake City's, say their officers will not be cross deputized. A major concern is that police efforts may be hindered by S.B. 81. Police informants who are also illegal immigrants may not be willing to help police for fear of deportation.
A representative for the Sutherland Institute said they may look to repeal the law if it has a negative effect on the state.
