Utah Republicans Propose Immigration and Crime Bills as 2025 Legislative Session Approaches
Utah – As Utah prepares for its 2025 legislative session, lawmakers are offering a glimpse into several proposed bills aimed at addressing issues of public safety and immigration. The focus of the bills includes measures to facilitate deportations, increase penalties for drug trafficking, and tackle human trafficking, all in an effort to curb crime and address the presence of undocumented immigrants in the state.
During a press conference on Monday, House Majority Whip Karianne Lisonbee, R-Clearfield, spoke about the bills that aim to address what lawmakers see as the negative effects of the Biden administration’s immigration policies. “While we are confident the incoming Trump administration will take the southern border much more seriously, we also know what we need to do as state leaders to address the harm caused by the Biden-Harris administration’s failure to act,” Lisonbee said.
The press conference followed announcements from Utah Gov. Spencer Cox regarding his plan to work with the legislature to tackle issues related to illegal immigration. In November, Cox revealed his goal to “identify, incarcerate, and deport” undocumented immigrants in Utah who have committed crimes. These efforts are expected to align with President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed immigration policies, which include mass deportations and potential changes to federal immigration laws.
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However, the proposed bills have sparked concerns from some Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Angela Romero, D-Salt Lake City. Romero cautioned that linking public safety and immigration in the proposed bills could fuel harmful stereotypes and create unnecessary hostility towards immigrants. “Sometimes public safety and immigration policies overlap. But immigrants in my district are facing increased hostility, and including all immigration bills under the umbrella of public safety fuels that rhetoric,” Romero said.
While not all the bills discussed in the press conference are public yet, here are some of the key proposals that have been revealed:
Rep. Candice Pierucci’s Immigration and Criminal Justice Proposals
Rep. Candice Pierucci, R-Herriman, is proposing a bill that would increase the criminal penalty for class A misdemeanors by one day. This change would speed up the deportation process for undocumented immigrants who commit crimes. The new bill would overturn a 2019 law that was intentionally designed to protect undocumented people from being deported for misdemeanors by increasing the maximum penalty from 364 days to 365 days.
Additionally, Pierucci is proposing a bill that would allow schools with an increasing number of English Language Learners (ELLs) to access emergency funds. These funds would help schools hire additional teachers to accommodate the growing number of ELL students. Pierucci is also pushing for tougher penalties for human trafficking.
Rep. Matthew Gwynn’s Fentanyl Trafficking Bill
Rep. Matthew Gwynn, R-Farr West, is proposing a bill that would make fentanyl trafficking its own criminal offense. With fentanyl now being the leading cause of drug overdose deaths in Utah, Gwynn’s bill, HB87, would classify fentanyl trafficking as a first-degree felony, a significant increase from the current penalties, which vary depending on the drug involved. Gwynn also wants to work with the Utah Department of Public Safety to increase the number of drug interdiction units in the state.
Rep. Ryan Wilcox’s Gang-Related Crime Bill
Rep. Ryan Wilcox, R-Ogden, is proposing enhanced penalties for gang-related crimes, including retail theft and gang recruitment. Wilcox’s bill, HB38, would introduce harsher penalties for adults who force minors to join gangs and commit crimes. It would also increase the metric used to determine the financial loss in retail theft cases.
Rep. Colin Jack’s Immigration Enforcement Bill
Rep. Colin Jack, R-St. George, is proposing a bill that would impose harsher penalties on undocumented immigrants who commit a felony offense after being deported and unlawfully reentering the country. This bill is part of a broader effort to crack down on repeat offenders.
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Rep. Matt MacPherson’s Unlicensed Driver Penalty Bill
Rep. Matt MacPherson, R-West Valley City, is proposing a bill that would increase penalties for unlicensed drivers, including higher fees and harsher consequences if their vehicle is impounded.
Rep. Neil Walter’s E-Verify Bill
Rep. Neil Walter, R-St. George, wants to expand the use of E-verify, a system that allows employers to verify the legal eligibility of their employees. Currently, Utah law requires employers with 150 or more employees to use E-verify, but Walter’s bill would further increase the number of employers who must comply with this requirement.
Rep. Karianne Lisonbee’s Deportation Detention Capacity Bill
House Majority Whip Karianne Lisonbee is proposing a bill to increase Utah’s detention capacity in order to facilitate the deportation of undocumented immigrants who commit crimes. The specifics of the bill, including where the detention capacity would be increased, are not yet public.
These bills signal that Utah lawmakers are focusing heavily on public safety and immigration reform in the 2025 legislative session. While some of the proposals are focused on increasing penalties for crimes, others aim to address specific concerns related to undocumented immigrants and the resources needed to enforce immigration laws at the state level. As the session draws closer, more details about these bills will likely emerge.
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