Lawmakers in Utah are heatedly arguing the necessity of an immigration law similar to the one implemented in Arizona. The law known as SB 1070 was implemented in Arizona recently to deal with the problem of illegal immigration. From the time it was announced, the law has caused controversy and some lawmakers in Utah want none of that in their State.
The core premise of SB 1070 is basically that a person upon questioning must prove that he or she is a citizen of the country. This means that they have to carry papers proving their legality in the country. Although it sounds straightforward enough, it is the practical implementation of the law that has everyone worried. Like it or not, any dark skinned person is likely to be racially profiled and questioned. This amounts to harassment at the very least.
Lawmakers in Utah who are against the same law being implemented there say that it will cause a massive negative economic effect within the State. They say that detaining illegal immigrants, deporting them, dealing with separated families, verifying the immigration status of people are just some of the massive costs that taxpayers will have to bear. They say that at a time when the State is struggling to keep the education system afloat, costs such as these are absolutely unnecessary.
However, proponents of the law say that something needs to be done proactively to deal with the existing illegal immigrant population as well as the expected influx of illegal immigrants as they flee Arizona.
