Lawsuits Threatened Over Utah Immigration Bills

Businessweek: A controversial immigration package approved by Utah lawmakers last week has groups on both sides of the debate threatening to boycott Utah and sue the state. The package includes an Arizona-style enforcement law and a guest worker program that allows illegal immigrants to live and work in Utah. The enforcement law is not as stringent as Arizona's, but still likely to be litigated. Police would be required to check the immigrant status of anyone stopped for a felony or serious misdemeanor. A person stopped for lesser infractions would be questioned at the discretion of the officer, and only if a person does not have valid identification. The Arizona law approved last year drew nationwide controversy over provisions requiring police, while enforcing other laws, to question a person's immigration status if they have reasonable suspicion they're here illegally. That aspect of the law was put on hold by a federal judge. The Utah bills are awaiting Gov. Gary Herbert's approval. He previously said he supports the package generally, but has not committed to signing all of the bills.