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H.B. 70

             1     

ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ACT

             2     
2011 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Stephen E. Sandstrom

             5     
Senate Sponsor: Margaret Dayton

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill modifies state law and enacts the "Illegal Immigration Enforcement Act."
             10      Highlighted Provisions:
             11          This bill:
             12          .    requires that an officer verify the immigration status of a detained or arrested person
             13      upon reasonable suspicion the person is an illegal alien, and provides enforcement
             14      exceptions;
             15          .    clarifies when passengers in a vehicle where the operator has been detained may
             16      also be questioned and their immigration status verified;
             17          .    requires that a law enforcement officer may not consider race, color, or national
             18      origin, except as permitted by Utah and United States constitutions;
             19          .    states grounds for a presumption of a person's lawful presence in the United States;
             20          .    provides for transportation of an illegal alien to federal custody by a state or local
             21      law enforcement officer;
             22          .    provides that a state or local agency may not limit, by any means, the authority of
             23      any law enforcement or other governmental agency to assist the federal government
             24      in the enforcement of any federal immigration law, including the federal
             25      requirement to register as an alien or possess an alien registration document;
             26          .    provides that any state or local governmental agency is not restricted in sending,
             27      receiving, or maintaining immigration status information of any person in carrying


             28      out the agency's lawful purposes;
             29          .    requires verification of immigration status regarding application for public services,
             30      benefits, or licenses provided by a state or local governmental agency or
             31      subcontractor;
             32          .    provides that this bill does not implement or authorize the federal REAL ID Act to
             33      any extent not currently provided by state law;
             34          .    provides that a legal resident may, after establishing standing, bring action against
             35      an agency that limits enforcement of federal immigration laws and imposes
             36      financial penalties for violation;
             37          .    provides that penalties imposed on the agencies be directed to the multi-agency
             38      strike force that deals with crime associated with illegal immigration and human
             39      trafficking;
             40          .    amends the current state law prohibiting transporting or harboring illegal aliens by
             41      removing the limitation to transportation of the alien for a distance greater than 100
             42      miles;
             43          .    prohibits the encouraging or inducing of an illegal alien to come to or reside in
             44      Utah; and
             45          .    amends peace officer arrest authority to include making an arrest when the officer
             46      has reasonable cause to believe the person is an alien:
             47              .    subject to an immigration removal order; and
             48              .    regarding whom a detainer warrant has been issued who has committed or been
             49      charged with a felony in another state.
             50      Money Appropriated in this Bill:
             51          None
             52      Other Special Clauses:
             53          This bill takes effect on July 1, 2011.
             54      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             55      AMENDS:
             56          67-5-22.7, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapter 30
             57          76-10-2901, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 26
             58          77-7-2, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 293


             59      ENACTS:
             60          76-9-1001, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             61          76-9-1002, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             62          76-9-1003, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             63          76-9-1004, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             64          76-9-1005, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             65          76-9-1006, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             66          76-9-1007, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             67          76-9-1008, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             68          76-9-1009, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             69          76-9-1010, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             70     
             71      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             72          Section 1. Section 67-5-22.7 is amended to read:
             73           67-5-22.7. Multi-agency strike force to combat violent and other major felony
             74      crimes associated with illegal immigration and human trafficking -- Fraudulent
             75      Documents Identification Unit -- Funding.
             76          (1) The Office of the Attorney General is authorized to administer and coordinate the
             77      operation of a multi-agency strike force to combat violent and other major felony crimes
             78      committed within the state that are associated with illegal immigration and human trafficking.
             79          (2) The office shall invite officers of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
             80      and state and local law enforcement personnel to participate in this mutually supportive,
             81      multi-agency strike force to more effectively utilize their combined skills, expertise, and
             82      resources.
             83          (3) The strike force shall focus its efforts on detecting, investigating, deterring, and
             84      eradicating violent and other major felony criminal activity related to illegal immigration and
             85      human trafficking.
             86          (4) In conjunction with the strike force and subject to available funding, the Office of
             87      the Attorney General shall establish a Fraudulent Documents Identification Unit:
             88          (a) for the primary purpose of investigating, apprehending, and prosecuting individuals
             89      or entities that participate in the sale or distribution of fraudulent documents used for


             90      identification purposes; and
             91          (b) to specialize in fraudulent identification documents created and prepared for
             92      individuals who are unlawfully residing within the state.
             93          (5) Funding for the strike force shall include funds from penalties imposed under
             94      Section 76-9-1009 .
             95          [(5)] (6) The strike force shall make an annual report on its activities to the governor
             96      and the Legislature's Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Interim Committee by December
             97      1, together with any proposed recommendations for modifications to this section.
             98          Section 2. Section 76-9-1001 is enacted to read:
             99     
Part 10. The Illegal Immigration Enforcement Act

             100          76-9-1001. Title.
             101          This part is known as "The Illegal Immigration Enforcement Act."
             102          Section 3. Section 76-9-1002 is enacted to read:
             103          76-9-1002. Definitions.
             104          As used in this part:
             105          (1) "Alien" means a person who is not a citizen or national of the United States.
             106          (2) "ICE" means the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency of the
             107      United States Department of Homeland Security.
             108          (3) "Law enforcement officer" has the same meaning as in Section 53-13-103 .
             109          (4) "SAVE program" means the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements
             110      program operated by the federal Department of Homeland Security.
             111          (5) "State or local governmental agency" includes any private contractor or vendor that
             112      contracts with the agency to provide the agency's functions or services.
             113          (6) "Verify immigration status" or "verification of immigration status" means the
             114      determination of a person's immigration status by:
             115          (a) a law enforcement officer who is authorized by a federal agency to determine an
             116      alien's immigration status; or
             117          (b) the United States Department of Homeland Security, ICE, or other federal agency
             118      authorized to provide immigration status as provided by 8 U.S.C. 1373(c).
             119          Section 4. Section 76-9-1003 is enacted to read:
             120          76-9-1003. Detention or arrest -- Determination of immigration status.


             121          (1) (a) When any law enforcement officer acting in the enforcement of any state law or
             122      local ordinance conducts any lawful stop, detention, or arrest of a person, and the officer has a
             123      reasonable suspicion that the person is an alien and is present in the United States unlawfully,
             124      the officer shall attempt to verify the immigration status of the person, except as allowed under
             125      Subsection (1)(b) or (c).
             126          (b) In individual cases, the law enforcement officer may forego the verification of
             127      immigration status under Subsection (1)(a) if the determination could hinder or obstruct a
             128      criminal investigation.
             129          (c) Subsection (1)(a) does not apply to a law enforcement officer who is acting as a
             130      school resource officer for any elementary or secondary school.
             131          (2) When a law enforcement officer makes a lawful stop, detention, or arrest under
             132      Subsection (1) of the operator of a vehicle, and while investigating or processing the primary
             133      offense, the officer makes observations that give the officer reasonable suspicion that the
             134      operator or any of the passengers in the vehicle are violating Section 76-5-309 , 76-5-310 , or
             135      76-10-2901 , which concern smuggling and transporting illegal aliens, the officer shall, to the
             136      extent possible within a reasonable period of time:
             137          (a) detain the occupants of the vehicle to investigate the suspected violations; and
             138          (b) inquire regarding the immigration status of the occupants of the vehicle.
             139          (3) When a person under Subsection (1) is issued a citation or is arrested and booked
             140      into a jail, juvenile detention facility, or correctional facility, the citing officer or the booking
             141      officer shall ensure that a request for verification of immigration status of the cited or arrested
             142      person is submitted as promptly as is reasonably possible.
             143          (4) The law enforcement agency that has custody of a person verified to be an illegal
             144      alien shall request that the United States Department of Homeland Security issue a detainer
             145      requesting transfer of the illegal alien into federal custody.
             146          (5) A law enforcement officer may not consider race, color, or national origin in
             147      implementing this section, except to the extent permitted by the constitutions of the United
             148      States and this state.
             149          Section 5. Section 76-9-1004 is enacted to read:
             150          76-9-1004. Grounds for presumption of lawful presence in United States --
             151      Statement to officer.


             152          (1) A person is presumed to be lawfully present in the United States for the purposes of
             153      this section if the person provides one of the following documents to the law enforcement
             154      officer, unless the law enforcement officer has a reasonable suspicion that the document is false
             155      or identifies a person other than the person providing the document:
             156          (a) a valid Utah driver license;
             157          (b) a valid Utah identification card issued under Section 53-3-804 ;
             158          (c) a valid tribal enrollment card or other valid form of tribal membership identification
             159      that includes photo identification; or
             160          (d) a valid identification document that:
             161          (i) includes a photo or biometric identifier of the holder of the document; and
             162          (ii) is issued by a federal, state, or local governmental agency that requires proof or
             163      verification of legal presence in the United States as a condition of issuance of the document.
             164          (2) A person is presumed to be a citizen or national of the United States for purposes of
             165      this section if the person makes a statement or affirmation to the law enforcement officer that
             166      the person is a United States citizen or national, unless the officer has a reasonable suspicion
             167      that the statement or affirmation is false.
             168          Section 6. Section 76-9-1005 is enacted to read:
             169          76-9-1005. Illegal alien -- Notification of federal government -- Transportation to
             170      federal facility.
             171          A state or local law enforcement agency may securely transport an alien who is in the
             172      agency's custody and whom the agency has verified is unlawfully present in the United States
             173      to a federal detention facility in this state or, with the concurrence of the receiving federal
             174      agency, to a federal facility or other point of transfer to federal custody that is outside this state.
             175          Section 7. Section 76-9-1006 is enacted to read:
             176          76-9-1006. Enforcement of federal immigration laws.
             177          A state or local governmental agency of this state, or any representative of the agency,
             178      may not:
             179          (1) limit or by any means restrict by ordinance, regulation, policy, practice, or in any
             180      other manner the authority of any law enforcement agency or officer, or any state or local
             181      governmental agency to assist the federal government in the enforcement of any federal law or
             182      regulation governing immigration; or


             183          (2) limit or by any means restrict by ordinance, regulation, policy, practice, or in any
             184      other manner the authority of any law enforcement agency to investigate or enforce any
             185      violation of the federal misdemeanor offenses of willful failure to register as an alien or willful
             186      failure to personally possess an alien registration document as required by 8 U.S.C. 1304(e) or
             187      1306(a).
             188          Section 8. Section 76-9-1007 is enacted to read:
             189          76-9-1007. Determining an alien's immigration status -- Transfer or maintenance
             190      of information.
             191          (1) Except as limited by federal law, any state or local governmental agency is not
             192      restricted or prohibited in any way from sending, receiving, or maintaining information related
             193      to the lawful or unlawful immigration status of any person by communicating with any federal,
             194      state, or local governmental entity for any lawful purpose, including:
             195          (a) determining a person's eligibility for any public benefit, service, or license provided
             196      by any federal agency, by this state or by any political subdivision of this state;
             197          (b) confirming a person's claim of residence or domicile if determination is required by
             198      state law or a judicial order issued pursuant to a civil or criminal proceeding in this state;
             199          (c) if the person is an alien, determining if the person is in compliance with the federal
             200      registration laws of Title II, Part 7, Immigration and Nationality Act; or
             201          (d) a valid request for verification of the citizenship or immigration status of any
             202      person pursuant to 8 U.S.C. 1373.
             203          (2) This section does not implement, authorize, or establish the federal REAL ID Act
             204      of 2005, P.L. 109-13, Division B; 119 Stat. 302, except as provided by Section 53-3-104.5 ,
             205      regarding limitations on the state implementation of the federal REAL ID Act.
             206          Section 9. Section 76-9-1008 is enacted to read:
             207          76-9-1008. Proof of immigration status to receive public benefits.
             208          (1) An agency that provides state or local public benefits as defined in 8 U.S.C.1621
             209      shall comply with Section 63G-11-104 and shall also comply with this section.
             210          (a) The agency shall verify a person's lawful presence in the United States by requiring
             211      that the applicant under this section sign a certificate under penalty of perjury, stating that the
             212      applicant:
             213          (i) is a United States citizen; or


             214          (ii) is a qualified alien as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1641.
             215          (b) The certificate under Subsection (1)(a) shall include a statement advising the signer
             216      that providing false information subjects the signer to penalties for perjury.
             217          (c) (i) When an applicant who is a qualified alien has executed the certificate under this
             218      section, the applicant's eligibility for benefits shall be verified by the agency through the federal
             219      SAVE program or an equivalent program designated by the United States Department of
             220      Homeland Security.
             221          (ii) Until eligibility verification is made, the certificate may be presumed to be proof of
             222      lawful presence for the purposes of this section.
             223          (2) Any person who knowingly and willfully makes a false, fictitious, or fraudulent
             224      statement of representation in a certificate executed under this section is guilty of public
             225      assistance fraud under Section 76-8-1205 .
             226          (3) If the certificate constitutes a false claim of United States citizenship under 18
             227      U.S.C. Section 911, the agency requiring the certificate shall file a complaint with the United
             228      States Attorney for the applicable federal judicial district based upon the venue in which the
             229      certificate was executed.
             230          (4) Agencies may, with the concurrence of the Office of the Utah Attorney General,
             231      adopt variations to the requirements of the provisions of this section which provide for
             232      adjudication of unique individual circumstances where the verification procedures in this
             233      section would impose unusual hardship on a legal resident of this state.
             234          (5) A legal resident of Utah who establishes standing may bring a civil action under
             235      Section 76-9-1009 against an agency which does not verify eligibility of applicants for state
             236      and local public benefits, in violation of the provisions of this section.
             237          (6) If an agency under Subsection (1) determines it has reasonable suspicion that a
             238      person making an application for any benefit, service, or license has violated or attempted to
             239      violate any fraud provision of the Utah Code, the agency shall provide the information to the
             240      local law enforcement agency.
             241          Section 10. Section 76-9-1009 is enacted to read:
             242          76-9-1009. Legal resident may bring action regarding agency that limits
             243      enforcement of federal immigration laws.
             244          (1) A state or local governmental agency may not adopt or implement a policy that


             245      limits or restricts the enforcement of federal immigration laws, including 8 U.S.C. 1373 and
             246      1644, to less than the full extent permitted by federal law.
             247          (2) A legal resident of this state who establishes standing may bring an action in
             248      district court to challenge any state or local governmental agency that acts in violation of
             249      Subsection (1).
             250          (3) (a) If the court finds that a governmental agency has violated Subsection (1), the
             251      court shall order that the governmental agency pay a civil penalty of not less than $500, but not
             252      more than $5,000, for each day the policy under Subsection (1) has remained in effect
             253      subsequent to the fourteenth day after the date the action was filed under Subsection (2).
             254          (b) The penalty shall be paid to the court, which shall transfer the funds for use by the
             255      multi-agency strike force created under Section 67-5-22.7 .
             256          (4) (a) A law enforcement officer is indemnified by the officer's employing agency
             257      against reasonable costs and expenses, including attorney fees, incurred by the officer in
             258      connection with any action brought under this section in which the officer may be a defendant
             259      by reason of the officer's being or having been employed by a law enforcement agency.
             260          (b) An officer under Subsection (4)(a) is not indemnified if the court finds that the
             261      officer acted in bad faith.
             262          Section 11. Section 76-9-1010 is enacted to read:
             263          76-9-1010. Implementation to be consistent with federal law and civil rights.
             264          All state and local agencies shall implement this part in a manner that is consistent with
             265      federal laws that regulate immigration, protect the civil rights of all persons, and establish the
             266      privileges and immunities of United States citizens.
             267          Section 12. Section 76-10-2901 is amended to read:
             268           76-10-2901. Transporting or harboring aliens -- Definition -- Penalties.
             269          (1) [For purposes of] As used in this part, "alien" means an individual who is illegally
             270      present in the United States.
             271          (2) It is unlawful for a person to:
             272          (a) transport, move, or attempt to transport into this state [or for a distance of greater
             273      than 100 miles] within the state an alien for commercial advantage or private financial gain,
             274      knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that the alien is in the United States in violation of
             275      federal law, in furtherance of the illegal presence of the alien in the United States; [or]


             276          (b) knowingly, with the intent to violate federal immigration law, conceal, harbor, or
             277      shelter from detection an alien in a place within this state, including a building or means of
             278      transportation for commercial advantage or private financial gain, knowing or in reckless
             279      disregard of the fact that the alien is in the United States in violation of federal law[.];
             280          (c) encourage or induce an alien to come to, enter, or reside in this state, knowing or in
             281      reckless disregard of the fact that the alien's coming to, entry, or residence is or will be in
             282      violation of law; or
             283          (d) engage in any conspiracy, for commercial advantage or private financial gain, to
             284      commit any of the offenses listed in this Subsection (2).
             285          (3) (a) A person who violates Subsection (2)(a), (c), or (d) is guilty of a third degree
             286      felony.
             287          (b) A person who violates Subsection (2)(b) is guilty of a class A misdemeanor.
             288          (4) Nothing in this part prohibits or restricts the provision of:
             289          (a) a state or local public benefit described in 8 U.S.C., Section 1621(b); or
             290          (b) charitable or humanitarian assistance, including medical care, housing, counseling,
             291      food, victim assistance, religious services and sacraments, and transportation to and from a
             292      location where the assistance is provided, by a charitable, educational, or religious organization
             293      or its employees, agents, or volunteers, using private funds.
             294          (5) (a) It is not a violation of this part for a religious denomination or organization or
             295      an agent, officer, or member of a religious denomination or organization to encourage, invite,
             296      call, allow, or enable an alien to perform the vocation of a minister or missionary for the
             297      denomination or organization in the United States as a volunteer who is not compensated as an
             298      employee, notwithstanding the provision of room, board, travel, medical assistance, and other
             299      basic living expenses.
             300          (b) Subsection (5)(a) applies only to an alien who has been a member of the religious
             301      denomination or organization for at least one year.
             302          Section 13. Section 77-7-2 is amended to read:
             303           77-7-2. Arrest by peace officers.
             304          A peace officer may make an arrest under authority of a warrant or may, without
             305      warrant, arrest a person:
             306          (1) (a) for any public offense committed or attempted in the presence of any peace


             307      officer; and
             308          (b) as used in this Subsection (1), "presence" includes all of the physical senses or any
             309      device that enhances the acuity, sensitivity, or range of any physical sense, or records the
             310      observations of any of the physical senses;
             311          (2) when the peace officer has reasonable cause to believe a felony or a class A
             312      misdemeanor has been committed and has reasonable cause to believe that the person arrested
             313      has committed it;
             314          (3) when the peace officer has reasonable cause to believe the person has committed a
             315      public offense, and there is reasonable cause for believing the person may:
             316          (a) flee or conceal himself to avoid arrest;
             317          (b) destroy or conceal evidence of the commission of the offense; or
             318          (c) injure another person or damage property belonging to another person; [or]
             319          (4) when the peace officer has reasonable cause to believe the person has committed
             320      the offense of failure to disclose identity under Section 76-8-301.5 [.]; or
             321          (5) when the peace officer has reasonable cause to believe that the person is an alien:
             322          (a) subject to a civil removal order issued by an immigration judge;
             323          (b) regarding whom a civil detainer warrant has been issued by the federal Department
             324      of Homeland Security;
             325          (c) who has been charged or convicted in another state with one or more aggravated
             326      felonies as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(43); or
             327          (d) who has willfully failed to comply with federal alien registration laws.
             328          Section 14. Effective date.
             329          This bill takes effect on July 1, 2011.




Legislative Review Note
    as of 1-24-11 3:49 PM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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