UTAH

For a conservative state, Utah has taken a relatively moderate approach to immigration due to great agricultural interests in the state. In July 2010, Utah state public employees released a list of 1,300 allegedly undocumented immigrants to the public, but public officials condemned the act as a breach of state security.

Political Landscape

2011 Session: January 24, 2011 – March 10, 2011
Senate: Republicans maintain control (D – 7; R – 22).
House of Representatives: Republicans maintain control (D – 17; R – 58).
Governor: Governor Gary Herbert voiced concerns about the constitutionality of the Arizona law and said that it would be a violation of the 14th amendment. He brought together a group of stakeholders for a conversation on the issue in July. Since then he has indicated that he wants legislation that will address immigration on a number of levels, not just enforcement, as the Arizona law does.
In November 2010, a coalition of conservative Utah leaders, including members of the business and religious communities, signed the The Utah Compact which supports immigration as a federal issue, family unity, and the contribution of immigrants to Utah’s economy. The influential Mormon Church also supported the compact as a “responsible approach to the urgent challenge of immigration reform."

Utah Update

Republicans have strong control over the state legislature in Utah. While some legislators want to move copycat legislation forward, state activists have been vocal in their opposition to such a measure. Governor Herbert has also shown an interest in addressing other facets of immigration in his state. The Utah Compact seems to have shifted the debate in the state and is causing the state's leaders to consider alternative approaches to solving the immigration issue.