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Opponents of Utah's new guest-worker law launched a website Wednesday seeking to repeal it.
The website, http://www.repeal116.com, features a petition for people to sign, and the site's creators say it was set up because they "reject it [HB116] as a national model for immigration reform."
The website also features a video with Rep. Chris Herrod, who argues the ability of those from Latin America — mostly Mexico — to cross the border illegally, work and be rewarded with "amnesty" discriminates against those trying to come here legally as well as those mired in other parts of the world.
Brandon Beckham, a Republican state delegate who worked with the Utah Coalition on Illegal Immigration in developing the site, said Gov. Gary Herbert never should have signed HB116. Beckham argues the measure is unconstitutional and will make Utah a magnet for more undocumented immigrants.
"The petitions will be delivered to the governor and to the Legislature," Beckham said. "Every single legislator will get a copy. There will also be pressure put on each one to let them know this is not an issue that is going away."
Beckham said candidates running in 2012 will have the opportunity to sign a pledge supporting the repeal and any hopefuls who don't will face the political consequences.
Herbert, with LDS Church Presiding Bishop H. David Burton in attendance, signed the guest-worker bill earlier this month along with three other immigration-reform measures, including an enforcement-only bill sponsored by Rep. Stephen Sandstrom, R-Orem.
Sandstrom has been an outspoken critic of HB116 and refused to attend the signing ceremony despite the fact his own immigration-reform bill, HB497, also was being signed.
Utah has drawn national attention for its guest-worker legislation, sponsored by Rep. Bill Wright, R-Holden. Several lawmakers, including Sen. Curt Bramble, R-Provo, have gone to other states to talk about Utah's approach.
Bramble, who just returned from Florida to discuss Utah's new laws, has said he believed the state was charting a new course that diverted from Arizona — which has been led by enforcement-only legislation carried by immigration firebrand Russell Pearce.
Bramble said the guest-worker program wasn't "intended to be the final word on immigration reform" but rather as a way to get the federal government's attention to seek solutions. He also questioned those attempting to repeal HB116, saying they haven't produced any solutions.
"Whenever you try to do something innovative," Bramble said, "there will always be naysayers."
The guest-worker bill passed with a trigger date to take effect in two years, giving Herbert and the state time to work with the federal government in winning a waiver to make it operational. Critics say no waiver exists and that Washington won't allow the state to issue guest-worker permits.
On the Web
O Find the group's website at > http://www.repeal116.com —
About HB116
R Under HB116, permits could be issued to any of the estimated 110,000 undocumented immigrants living in Utah who are working. Permits would be issued through the Department of Public Safety after workers passed background checks.
Undocumented immigrants then would pay a $2,500 fine — $1,000 if they overstayed a visa. Undocumented immigrants also could bring family members under the umbrella of the permit.