In deep-red Utah, Republicans resist hardline immigration bills
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Utah State Capitol. Photo: Joe Sohm/Visions of America/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
A handful of zero-tolerance immigration bills failed to gain traction in Utah's Republican-dominated Legislature this session, a stark contrast with President Trump's push for mass deportations.
Why it matters: The lack of support signals the policies may be unpopular in Utah, where most of the state's most powerful lawmakers are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The big picture: The Church, which has a growing presence in Latin America and Asia, has struck a more tempered tone in the immigration debate.
- It teaches members to obey the law but emphasizes that forced family separation "weakens families and damages society."
- The church also calls for public officials to design laws that "reflect the best of our aspirations as a just and caring society."
State of play: Three hotly contested proposals targeting undocumented immigrants — which would have expanded E-verify, restricted public benefits, and repealed the state's driving privilege card program — failed on Capitol Hill.
- The measures faced opposition from business owners and builders, who rely heavily on an immigrant workforce in the hospitality and construction sectors.
Zoom out: Trump's immigration crackdown tactics have proven unpopular among many Americans, according to multiple polls.
What they're saying: ACLU of Utah policy director Ellie Menlove, told Axios she was somewhat surprised the measures failed, adding that ultimately, "a lot of these bills just went too far" from a humanitarian standpoint for Utahns and lawmakers.
Zoom in: State Rep. Trevor Lee (R-Layton) sponsored some of the most restrictive bills, which aimed to encourage undocumented immigrants to self-deport.
- "The lesson learned … is change seems to take time in Utah," he told Axios. "In due time, we'll get to that point where our [chambers] are ready to pass legislation that puts Utahns first."
- Lee noted Utah's overly polite culture has at times worked against efforts to pass stricter immigration-related bills.
- He said lawmakers repeatedly told him that his bills represented good policy, but they feared being perceived as unkind if they supported them.
Case in point: During floor debate last week, state Rep. Cheryl Acton (R-West Jordan) called Lee's HB 88, which sought to prohibit undocumented immigrants from accessing certain public benefits, a violation of the "Sermon on the Mount," referring to a biblical passage where Jesus emphasizes mercy and compassion.
What we're watching: Menlove said she expects lawmakers to revive the E-Verify expansion bill next year, along with some of the less extreme provisions from measures that failed this session.
- "But it's an election year, so who knows what will happen or what the temperature will be next session," she said.