Legislative Ratings on Immigration Legislation

The 2011 UFIRE rating for the recent session of the Utah Legislature has been released. Utahns for Immigration Reform and Enforcement (UFIRE) awarded an “A” to 17 House members and 4 Senators. The report is based on votes and actions toward solving the continuing problems with illegal immigration in Utah.



The overall grade for both legislative bodies was a “D.” The complete report can be accessed at http://www.ufire.net/

Among the legislative leaders were Representatives Steve Sandstrom, Chris Herrod and Carl Wimmer with A+ ratings. Senators Margaret Dayton, Steve Urquhart and David Hinkins led the Senate, with Sen. Thatcher at A-

The fifth annual UFIRE ratings for the 2011 legislative session found legislators generally lacking in an understanding of the solution to illegal immigration (Attrition through Enforcement), or persuaded by pseudo-compassion arguments, or simply unable to take seriously their Constitutional oaths and the concept of the Rule of Law.

With an abundance of legislation, hearings, debates and votes, 2011 provided a better picture of the commitment to creating a fair immigration policy for ALL people who wish to try to immigrate to the United States by enforcing current law.

HB 116 will further encourage more illegal aliens, in violation of 8 USC 1324, to opt to come to Utah as it gives them until May 10, 2011 to arrive and avail themselves of the proposed “Guest Worker” Permit and, for a fee, to bring most of their relatives.

UFIRE looks forward to restoration of adherence to federal law and the wishes of the citizens in controlling this rampant disregard of immigration law and proper principles. Hopefully the ratings may help Utahns gain an understanding of who is, and is not, in favor.

LDS Church and Immigration

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, after the controversy over the passage of guest worker amnesty for illegal aliens in Utah, has issued a statement entitled "Immigration Response"  stating, in part:

"The Church appreciates the package of bills that the legislature had passed, including House Bill 116.    . .  .    The February 28 Deseret News editorial, "A Model For The Nation" also accurately reflects the position of the Church regarding immigration reform, including measures that will allow those who are now here illegally to work legally, provide for their families and become better contributing members of our community—but without establishing a path to citizenship or granting amnesty."
A report by a lay member of the Church concerning some of the history of the "The Mormon Church and Illegal Immigration" was conicidentally published earlier this month.

Sutherland Institute's Paul Mero Speaks OUT

The leader of the Sutherland Institute, and one of primary proponents of the HB 116, Guest Worker Amnesty bills - or legalizing the illegal, or sale of legal Utah residency to a selected group of people.

This article might be construed as the epitome of arrogance.  (as this blog is apparently written by one to whom he refers to as "wingnuts" in his 'conservative' certainty.)  We'll leave it to the reader to decide.

"we strive to match our candor with civility." "Right-wing political extremism is alive and well in Utah."  “We’ve been able to break through that political barrier put up by the wing nuts who see every brown person as a criminal.”


"But not once has any of these anti-immigrant activists explained just how more than 100,000 undocumented immigrants were physically to be rounded up and deported." 

Mr. Mero, the pro legal immigrant activist in Utah are not suggested rounding up and deporting, they ARE suggesting enforcing current federal and state laws and they will deport themselves. Nor have they declared your racist statement about "brown people."  You call this civility, I call it disingenuous arrogance - on your part.

Educate employers that they are hurting the state economy by denying jobs to Utahns with a recent unemployment rate of 8+% well 80,000 illegals are working.


The only thing he may have gotten right is this statement:
"Perhaps a reasonable person could say of these remarks, "It takes one to know one." Perhaps it does. And perhaps I am that person. In speaking for Sutherland Institute I have my own style and tone that often leans more toward candor than civility, rather than seeking their complementarity."

Here's the DNews article covering the rant:
Sutherland Institute takes aim at "right-wing extremism" in ...

In the Sutherland Institute's addendum to its 2004 treatise "The Poison of Extremism," executive director Paul T. Mero takes aim at what he refers to as the ...

For these wonderful musings, in 2009, Mr. Mero was paid $128,776.

Here are Sutherland 990 forms from 2003 - 2010   Total 2009 contributions $1,335,989, All but $62K spent

HB 116 and GRAMA

Utah's HB 116 (Illegal Alien Guest Worker program) is bad legislation and has its own problems.

Many questions are flowing on the Internet facebook and emails about  HB 116 and the GRAMA law (HB 477)   Here's an explanation for those wondering, HB 116 does make a minor change to Grama. (When legislation is written and a change (however minor) is proposed the entire code section is generally provided to provide the context of the change.)


Here is the change:

Line 481 municipality[.]; and

482 (61) a record described in Section 63G-12-210 .

Here's the "fine print" - all NEW law:
885 63G-12-210. Verification of valid permit -- Protected status of information.
* * *

895 (2) Subject to Section 63G-12-212 , a record under this part is a protected record under  Chapter 2, Government Records Access and Management Act, except that a record may not be shared under Section 63G-2-206 , unless:


898 (a) requested by the Office of Legislative Auditor General in accordance with Section 36-12-15 ;


900 (b) disclosed to the State Tax Commission as provided in Subsection 63G-12-203 (2)(e)(vi); or


902 (c) disclosed to a federal government entity in accordance with this part or a waiver, exemption, or authorization described in Section 63G-12-202 .
 * * *

933 63G-12-212. Sharing of information related to enforcement.


934 (1) The department shall provide the notice described in Subsection (2), if the department determines that an undocumented individual:


936 (a) has the undocumented individual's permit revoked; or


937 (b) permits the undocumented individual's permit to expire and the department has reason to believe that the undocumented individual continues to reside in the state.


939 (2) (a) The department shall provide the notice required by Subsection (1) to:


940 (i) Utah's attorney general; and


941 (ii) United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement.


942 (b) The notice described in Subsection (2)(a) shall:


943 (i) include:


944 (A) the last known address of the undocumented individual; and


945 (B) the basis of the notice described in Subsection (1); and


946 (ii) be sent promptly after the day on which the time to appeal, if any, the action that is


947 the basis for the notification under Subsection (1) ends.

If you like a Guest Worker program, this is probably a good code addition - BUT BETTER YET, why not simply apply a similar idea for all DPC holders (illegal aliens) - If you (DPC holder) commit any law infraction (e.g. I-9 perjury, ID theft for employment, et al) your information will be dispensed similarly to ICE.

Lane Beattie on Arquette Show

Attempting to justify HB 116, Beattie made a few errors and raised a few question. He said he supported this because 71% of Utahns favor it. That is a recent poll, 3 years ago the Chamber was proposing legalize the illegal, so it is NOT a new idea to them. Check the Chamber website or ufire.net Salt lake Chamber page.


He also said that most illegals are paying taxes - where does he get that information. The legislative review note for Robles SB 60 indicated that it would create an additiona; $81 million from new taxes - inconsistency.

He also talk about SB 81 (and hinted at SB 251) Everify. The problem is there is NO enforcement, no no penalty. The Majority of the "leaders" appear to be ignoring the law.

There's more, but I'm still trying to find someone to explain violating 8 USC 1324 (which was also included in HB 116) When is someone going to prosecute any of the leaders of this amnesty movement for ENCOURAGING illegals to reside in the state. It is now illegal in the state of Utah, as well as federal law.

What will the Utah AG do about that? (Rhetorical question)

BTW, the petition is still alive.     http://www.vote116.com/

Governor Herbert fails to listen

That's all I'll say at this time. 
Scroll down the page for more.

Petition To Veto HB 116

To further encourage Gov. Herbert a new petition has been posted.

Sign the petition

OVER 3,500 Utahns have signed within days
Thank you to all who have signed and will sign.     Time is short!!!

For more infomation, such as Utah Everify Users lists, illegal alien crime list, news articles, UFIRE newsletter subscription. etc. click here to go to UFIRE website,

Sen. Bramble Pontificates on RedMeat Radio

Open letter to Rep. H . . . , Host of KtKK redmeat radio,

Thank you for your attempt (however feeble) to harness the sophistry of, as one of you said - the bulldog, Sen. Bramble. His report was wrong in so many facets.

A few points on the Senator's comments:

• HB 116 simply proposes to legalize the illegals
• If they don't like the term "amnesty" how about "sale of Utah residency" for a small fee - (and Utah will even finance that.) HB 116 Line 828 "(ii) one or more payment plans that an undocumented individual may use to pay a fine required under Subsection (4)(a); and"
• The May 10, 2011 date is not an implementation date, but a date for applying for the guest worker permit. (If it's for those who have been here for a Long time -defacto amnesty, per the Sen. - why not May 10, 2010 or 2001 or. . .)
• The bill also appears to be an amnesty for those employers who currently have illegal employees.
• As far as "Utah can't round them up and deport them" - Mexico has been very successful in "deporting" umpteen million unemployed workers to the US).
• If we truly want to "solve" the illegal alien problem "Attrition Through Enforcement" works. Not the SL Chamber idea.
• If the DPC is about auto insurance, why don't they require proof when applying for the DPC? (Insurance is actually on the CAR, not the driver.)

There is an online petition  now available, that has gathered 3,500 signatures - so far, in 3 DAYS - calling for a veto of HB 116. That will soon surpass the signatures on the vaunted Utah Compact - in over 4 MONTHS.

Utah AG Shurtleff Lobbying for Utah Amnesty

Utah AG is reportedly in DC lobbying for the Utah style AMNESTY (which is supposedly based on the Utah Compact).  This is being done even before the bill (HB 116), based on the Compact is signed by the Governor.

He must be doing this on his own time (and money) because is AG job mission says nothing about lobbying and testifying about legislation.  

Notice also the mission and duties of the Utah AG refer ONLY to citizens!!   

"The mission of the Office of the Utah Attorney General is to uphold the constitutions of the United States and of Utah, enforce the law, provide counsel to state agencies and public officials, to work with law enforcement and protect the interests of Utah, its people, environment and resources.
With our team of highly qualified attorneys, investigators and staff members, we ensure the law is upheld and the rights of all citizens – no matter how young or old – are preserved. We especially focus on protecting children. We also make every effort to educate the public about safety, justice, liberty and equal opportunity.
As we see it, it is our duty to diligently work with integrity every day to fulfill these responsibilities as we serve the citizens of Utah. That is our entire focus. That is our mission."

How does encouraging 'unauthorized aliens' to reside in Utah coincide with 8 USC 1324?

An Open Letter to Gov. Herbert to VETO HB 116

We, strongly urge you to VETO Third Substitute H.B. 116 UTAH IMMIGRATION ACCOUNTABILITY AND ENFORCEMENT AMENDMENTS.

This bill will accomplish essentially nothing in solving the illegal alien problem in the State of Utah and violates many of your "six guiding principles," the Utah Compact,and, even, federal law and the US Constitution, according to the Legislative Review Note,  "there is a high probability that a court would find that portions of this bill as unconstitutional because they are preempted by federal law as applied through the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution of the United States."

Legalization of illegal aliens currently in Utah as Guest Workers is anathema to any sense of fairness or respect for the law. 

Additionally, here are a few more comments on the bill, with reason that it should NOT become law.

• It rewards illegal behavior by granting Guest Worker permits, thus encouraging more bad behavior.
• The bill basically rewards unauthorized aliens to the detriment of Utah taxpayers who pay continue to pay their costs, estimated by F.A.I.R. at $453,000,000 annually and by Utah legislative audit at $50 to $85 million for K-12 education alone. 
• It allows ONLY unauthorized aliens temporary resident status as guest workers.
• It even allows illegal alien to come to Utah until May 10 to partake of the pending legalization benefits. 
• It does not restrict previous unauthorized alien residents from returning to Utah to become guest workers.
• It effectively delays ANY effective enforcement action for at least two years.
• There were other proposals for proper Guest Worker program allowing application from their home countries. 
• The fiscal note is internally inconsistent.
• The bill eliminates the current Public employer verification requirements (SB 81).
• It provides for more potential alien students to qualify for instate tuition in 2013, in further violation of the provision "If allowed  under federal law" predicated on the passage of the failed Dream Act.
• It provides no accountability for employers who currently, or for the next two years, continue to employ unauthorized aliens.
• By allowing the status quo for two years, it does nothing to help reduce the Utah unemployment rate, or return vacancies to many of the jobs once held by Utah teenagers.
• While it does create a victims recovery fund, it does virtually nothing to stem the increasing tide of identity theft in Utah.
• The bill violates 8 USC 1324 at the same time it adds those same provision to Utah law. "(2) It is unlawful for a person to: . . . (c) encourage or induce an alien to come to, enter, or reside in this state, knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that the alien's coming to, entry, or residence is or will be in violation of law;"  

It seems quite obvious that 'persons' in Utah, through this proposed legislation, are encouraging alien to reside in Utah and "know . . .that the alien's . . . residence is . . . in violation of law."  In fact, the 2013 implementation date virtually guarantees at least a continuing two year plus term of quasi-legal residency.

As a fellow Republican, I would also remind you that this proposal is  also counter to both the Utah GOP Platform on Immigration AND the Republican National Platform.