The Salt Lake Chamber proposed an innovative state immigration policy combining the need for federal action with supportive state action that protects the public and sustains the economy. Chamber President and CEO Lane Beattie presented the program today at the governor’s immigration roundtable at the State Capitol.

The Chamber’s proposal includes a redoubling of advocacy efforts with the federal government to increase visas and secure borders, crack down on serious crime and other abuses, and the enactment of an employer-sponsored work program.

Utah is not a border state. Immigration affects us differently than other states, particularly those with an international border. The Chamber supports a solution that is unique to Utah and reflects our culture as a welcoming, friendly and international community.

Ultimately, immigration and border security are federal issues that require federal policy and enforcement. We encourage Congress to enact comprehensive reform and we expect our federal delegation to address the issue in a manner than reflects the values of our state.

The manner in which Utah resolves the immigration issue will have far-reaching effects on our state economy—for better or worse. Carefully crafted immigration policy can strengthen our state economy. For two years the Chamber has supported an employer-sponsored worker program that addresses many of the issues of concern. A summary of the program is available at www.slchamber.com.

The Chamber applauds Governor Gary Herbert for bringing together interested groups to discuss the future of immigration policy in Utah. The parties that participated passionately seek a solution and each emphasizes an important element of future state policy. As the debate progresses, we urge a civil and constructive discourse.

The Chamber Proposal

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.

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Auto insurance: Applicants must show proof of valid, no-fault auto insurance.  Expired insurance will be grounds for revocation of guest worker status.