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The Senate passed Tuesday a bill to allow Utahns to sponsor immigrants who want to live, work or study here — and bypass the federal immigration process.
It voted 19-6 to pass HB469 by Rep. John Dougall, R-Highland. The Senate made a technical amendment to the bill, so it now goes back to the House for further consideration.
Sen. Wayne Niederhauser, R-Sandy, the Senate sponsor of the bill, said no one in the county illegally now could qualify for such sponsorship.
Also, to be eligible, immigrants must pass a background check, a health check, pay a processing fee and be from a country not at war with the United States or threatening it with terrorism. They must pay state and federal taxes. Their sponsor must accept financial responsibility for them.
"The best way to fix illegal immigration is to expand legal immigration," Niederhauser said.
Niederhauser was the only senator to speak during a quick debate.
Earlier in the House, critics pointed out that the bill had a constitutional note attached to it by legislative attorneys saying it had a high likelihood of being challenged in court because of federal control over immigration.
However, Dougall earlier told a House committee that states controlled immigration for the first 100 years of the nation's existence, and said it is time to reassert those rights.
Niederhauser said legislative leaders also view the bill as compatible, and not in competition, with other immigration bills passed by the Legislature.