The Utah State Legislature is up to its hate-mongering ways, once again.
This week, gay high school kids and women who want to retain jurisdiction over their own bodies have escaped the crosshairs. Do not fear, though; these menaces to society will be dealt with again, soon. The Legislature has instead focused its wrath on the state’s immigrants.
Yes, all those who wash Utah diners’ dishes and pull weeds on the East Bench without the proper papers had better run for cover. At the very least, they should not call the police to report a crime or attempt to obtain a higher education if House Bills 105 and 437 pass.
HB 105 asks local police officers to double as federal immigration officers, arresting any undocumented individuals they come in contact with while patrolling the streets.
So, if one of the state’s 50,000 undocumented workers prevents a rape while at work in the parking lot of an Applebee’s, there’d be a hero’s parade, right?
Maybe, but then that hero would be on the first plane to a federal detention center. After an unspecified period of time, the hero would return to his or her country where $5 an hour can support an extended family.
I’m sure the safety hotline’s going to be buzzing when this news spreads.
Salt Lake Police Chief Chris Burbank is not enthused. He wrote an editorial for The Salt Lake Tribune opposing the bill.
“HB 105 is bad for local law enforcement, public safety and all Utah residents,” he wrote. Sounds like a ringing endorsement.
The bill mentions that officers act in “agreement with the Secretary of Homeland Security,” which is fine-collaboration is to be applauded. I hope desecrating Utah’s work force by 4 percent is not what Bush had in mind for security when he created the department after 9/11.
On to the next piece of prejudice proposed this week: HB 437. The bill’s sponsor, rookie Rep. Christopher Herrod, R-Provo, didn’t have to stretch his brain too much during this bill’s draft, as half of it was already written for him. Legislation that would bar undocumented Utah high school students from qualifying for in-state tuition was defeated once already this session.
Hatred doesn’t die easily, though, and HB 437 brings even more heat than its predecessor, HB 224. Instead of just preventing kids from going to school, the bill also wants to deny state assistance to immigrants who are sick, starving or cold, no matter the age.
There may be a cheese sandwich in the holding pen or a blanket in the cell, but the bill’s text does not stipulate such amenities. Didn’t anyone run on the “compassionate conservative” platform? Guess that’s not trendy anymore, now that we’re at war.
I’d say go call your legislator and express your discontent. But, after seeing the Legislature wave EnergySolutions’ wishes right on through with virtually no public support, resistance is futile. For it’s hunting season at the Capitol, and there ain’t nothin’ but minorities on the range. Yee-haw!
