A federal judge in Utah has granted a temporary restraining order against HB 497, the enforcement-only immigration law that took effect yesterday. But as KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports, attorneys for the state say opponents are putting Arizona on trial, not Utah.
A federal judge has put the brakes on an illegal immigration enforcement law that went into effect today, following a lawsuit from the ACLU and National Immigration Law Center. HB 497 requires local law enforcement to check the citizenship status of anyone suspected of a felony or Class A misdemeanor, and makes that optional for lesser offenses. Salt Lake City Police Chief Burbank has continually opposed the legislation, but says with today’s injunction, there will at least be some much-needed discussion about how officers are expected to implement the law.
It was called a watered down version of Arizona’s enforcement only immigration law when it was passed by the Utah legislature. But the American Civil Liberties Union says it will still turn Utah into a police state, dubbing it the “show me your papers” law. Now, it’s filed a lawsuit in federal court.
Utah’s approach to illegal immigration is piquing the curiosity of leaders in Washington. Bishop John Wester of the Salt Lake City Catholic Diocese took part in a White House meeting Tuesday with President Barack Obama, his cabinet members and other stakeholders. He helped present the Utah Compact, which was written to guide Utah’s approach to immigration reform.
Utah Congressman Jason Chaffetz is one of the leading voices against President Obama’s decision to intervene in Libya. We talked with the Republican about that and the prospect of a federal government shutdown if there’s no compromise on the budget.
With former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman’s brother Peter Huntsman confirming the current Ambassador to China is indeed interested in running for president, even if not right away, the speculation that he’s stepping down from that position later this month to launch a presidential bid is ramping up. Every week, we talk with Thomas Burr, Washington Correspondent for the Salt Lake Tribune and author of Political Cornflakes, a daily, online round-up of Utah politics.
Less than a week after the legislative session concluded, Governor Gary Herbert gathered with other Utah leaders at the capitol Tuesday as he signed four immigration bills. They’re hailing it as a potential model for immigration reform nationally, but as KCPW’s Jessica Gail reports, some aren’t happy with one particular bill.
Thursday night marked the end of 45 days of budget, education, and open records debates at the Utah Legislature, as Senators and Representatives held their 2011 general session. We spoke with Democratic Senator Luz Robles, Republican Representative Brad Last, and Democratic Representative Brian King.
Education reform, illegal immigration and restricting open records dominated the 2011 session of the Utah legislature, which wrapped up last night at midnight. KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports on what lawmakers from both parties have to say about what the legislature accomplished in the past 45 days.
It won’t be implemented until July, but Governor Gary Herbert is still getting calls for HB 477, which restricts Utah’s open records law, to be vetoed. It’s too late, however, as the bill has already been signed. The bill was recalled by lawmakers after an uproar from both media outlets and the public over how quickly it was considered and passed by lawmakers late last week.
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