Immigration
Summary
Our federal government has failed to secure our national borders and support our economy through comprehensive immigration reform. In the absence of federal action, leading states are forced to enact policies that serve the public interest. Until we have a federal solution, we recommend a three-pronged strategy that will advantage Utah:
1) Demand federal action – Insist upon urgent federal action to increase the number of employment-based visas and secure our national borders.
2) Crack down on serious crime and other abuses – Deport individuals who commit serious crimes, pose a threat to public health or fail to contribute to a better community.
3) Protect economic interests – Enact an employer-sponsored work program with protective requirements.
Our vision
Utah has a long-standing reputation as a welcoming, family-oriented and international state. We hosted the world in 2002 and showed the greatness of our people and our ability to excel. Today we face an economic and civic imperative to pass immigration legislation that builds upon this legacy of internationalism, good will, strong families and human progress. We support innovative state immigration reform legislation that responds to public concerns about our public safety and welcomes well-intentioned, hard-working, community-enhancing immigrants who contribute to our economy.
Our strategy
We support a three-pronged strategy:
#1 Demand federal action
The U.S. Congress has let us down. We must redouble our advocacy efforts to achieve an increase in the number of employment-based visas and secure our national borders. We support efforts to substantially increase the number of border patrol personnel, to enhance border surveillance, and to enact security safeguards vital to our homeland security. We will actively lobby and speak out on the need for comprehensive federal immigration reform.
#2 Crack down on serious crime and other abuses
We support enforcement efforts to deport undocumented individuals who commit serious crimes, pose a threat to public health or fail to contribute to a better community. We favor provisions that impose strict criminal penalties on illegal immigrants who participate in gang activities and felony crimes. Provisions should include increased penalties, increased bond amounts, and expedited deportation.
#3 Protect our economic interests
We support enactment of an employer-sponsored work program. This program will provide a two-year, renewable guest worker authorization for undocumented workers currently residing in Utah who agree to abide by the requirements of the program. Residency requirements and vigorous enforcement will prevent undocumented individuals from outside the state from being attracted to Utah. The program includes these protective requirements:
Qualified positions
Whenever feasible, Utah’s law will utilize the existing federal framework to avoid unnecessary duplication and additional costs. We propose that current federal notice requirements and regulations be applied to the Utah Employer-Sponsored Work Program. Enrolled workers can only fill jobs that cannot be filled by citizens. Immigrant students attending institutions of higher education in Utah who find gainful employment in Utah in qualified positions would also be eligible as guest workers under this program.
Qualified individuals
The Utah Employer-Sponsored Work Program would require that potential workers meet the following criteria as administered by the State of Utah, under the oversight of the governor’s office.
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Registration as a worker: Applicants must register by providing relevant contact data to the State of Utah. This data must be updated if any changes are made. Failure to properly update this information will be grounds for revocation of worker status.
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Background check: Applicants must submit to a criminal background check. If individuals have a criminal history that includes any felony or other serious criminal behavior, that individual will not be eligible for this program.
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Medical exam/health check: Applicants must undergo a health examination to screen for communicable diseases. This is the same examination currently required for federal permanent residence status.
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10% withholding: Applicant must agree to have 10% of their earnings withheld as a guarantee to uphold their contract with the state. This withholding will be taken out by the Utah State Tax Commission and invested in an interest bearing trust fund. This withholding will be available to guest workers after they complete their permit.
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Health insurance: All guest workers must be enrolled in a health insurance program that provides essential and basic health care. Employers may facilitate an applicant’s meeting this requirement by providing insurance for the employee.
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Auto insurance: Applicants must show proof of valid, no-fault auto insurance. expired insurance will be grounds for revocation of guest worker status.