A Senate concurrent resolution supporting the creation of a state guest-worker program for undocumented immigrants inched closer to passing today, as it cleared the Senate floor 22-to-3, with 4 absent. S.C.R. 1 is simply a message to be sent to the federal government. While that means that it may have more bark than bite, the resolution still puts the feds on notice that
"We wanted to put pressure on the federal government to address [undocumented immigration]," said resolution sponsor Sen. Scott Jenkins,
Jenkins noted support of the resolution from the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce, which would also apply pressure to the federal government by lobbying through national chamber associations. The idea was also part of a study released by the conservative think tank, the Sutherland Institute.
The resolution passed easily and was well received. “I applaud the Senator [Jenkins] for taking a different approach to such a divisive issue,” said Sen. Luz Robles D-Salt Lake City. However, she also conceded immigration legislation ideally should be dealt with at the federal level.
Support, however, was not unanimous. "As long as we have Utahns out of work, we have to take care of our own first," said Karen Mayne,