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Rep. Stephen Sandstrom and Sen. Luz Robles said they continue to be open to merging their immigration bills before the legislative session despite being far apart on several provisions in each proposal.
The two lawmakers met as recently as last week to discuss working through the disparities — though neither has scheduled any upcoming meetings.
"With me, he's been open," Robles said. "I can say that."
Robles, a Salt Lake City Democrat, said she thought a compromise was a possibility because of Gov. Gary Herbert's desire to see legislation tackling multiple facets of the immigration issue. There are estimates that there could be upward of 20 bills dealing with different aspects of illegal immigration introduced in the legislative session that begins Jan. 24.
Sandstrom, R-Orem, who has traveled throughout the state for the better part of the year meeting with supporters and opponents of his enforcement-only bill, said he sees no reason to shut off dialogue with Robles — though he continues to have concerns about stolen identities used by undocumented immigrants.
He suggested last week that maybe Robles would consider applying her bill to just those who hadn't used a stolen Social Security number.
"Maybe that eliminates a whole bunch of them, but the kid who is brought here when he is 3 that is now turning 18 that just wants to be able to work and not have to steal an identity, then maybe that kid could get into some kind of a program," Sandstrom said. "I don't mind exploring that with her."
But he said for those that have stolen a Social Security number — a felony — they should not be given what her proposal calls an accountability card.
The Robles bill, which was unveiled earlier this month with support of the conservative Sutherland Institute's Paul Mero, would require an undocumented immigrant who has been in Utah for longer than 18 months to obtain an accountability card that would allow them to live and work lawfully in the state.
The immigrant, however, would also have to pass through a series of background checks and keep the photo accountability ID cards with them at all times. The bill would establish a database of those who are here and require them to enroll in and establish proficiency in English.
Sandstrom's bill is styled after Arizona's law that requires police to enforce federal immigration laws by checking legal status if the subject is suspected of committing a crime or infraction.
Robles said she has problems with his bill because it is "a catch-and-release" program — an argument made by some that say the mere presence of an undocumented person in Utah is a misdemeanor offense. The enforcement aspect of her bill leans on programs like the attorney general's strike force that targets illegal immigrants for major felony crimes, not legal status.
Her bill has been criticized by some for seeking a federal waiver to function — a provision critics say is virtually impossible to obtain.
"There is still hope to have more discussion and we hope to have more conversations," Robles said. "Ideally, we do want to have something."
Cherilyn Eagar of the Utah Coalition on Illegal Immigration, which supports Sandstrom's bill, said she hopes both sides keep communication channels open. She met recently with one of the chief opponents of Sandstrom's bill — Michael Clara, state chair of the Utah Republican Hispanic Assembly — and said it is important that everyone keep talking.