Utah lawmaker airs Arizona-style immigration bill

A conservative Utah lawmaker vowed that his Arizona-style immigration bill could withstand a federal court challenge as he gave his bill its first public hearing Wednesday.

However, Rep. Stephen Sandstrom’s bill contains several provisions that are nearly identical to those a federal judge blocked in Arizona before they could take effect.

That includes a requirement that police, while enforcing other laws, question people’s immigration status if officers have reasonable suspicion they’re in the country illegally.

It also includes a blocked requirement that immigrants obtain or carry immigration registration papers. It also has similar language allowing for warrantless arrest when people commit crimes that can result in their deportation.