Several legislators stood before a packed room at the Capitol on Monday to present upcoming legislation that would impact public safety and the southern border crisis. The bills address such things as organized crime, fentanyl, detention capacity, unlicensed drivers, human trafficking and more. 

“It is no secret that the Biden administration has failed to secure the southern border,” said Rep. Karianne Lisonbee, R-Clearfield. “The record number of people who crossed the border during the last few years is impacting states all across the country, including Utah.”

Every state is now a border state, she said. “We welcome all who come here legally wishing to call Utah and the U.S. home. It’s part of our culture to welcome people who come here to search for a better life, to work hard, obey the law and to be part of our community. However, the chaos of the southern border has put serious stains on our communities, public safety, resources, education systems and more.”

Lisonbee said they are confident the Trump administration will take the southern border much more seriously. “We also know that we need to act as state leaders to address the harm caused by the Biden/Harris administration’s failure to act. When the federal government fails to fulfill its responsibility, states have no choice but to step up.”

Legislators are working on a package of bills to support local communities and address the public safety impacts of the southern border crisis on Utah, she said. “I want to underscore that this approach focused on public safety has widespread support. For example, a recent poll by the Deseret News found that 86% of Utahns support deporting illegal immigrants who commit crimes in the United States.”

“I represent the Herriman and Riverton area,” said Rep. Candice Pierucci, R-Dist. 49. “This issue has especially impacted the southwest corner of the valley over the past two years as we’ve experienced a massive uptick in migrants relocating to our area. It’s been so significant that the Wall Street Journal reached out to me over the summer asking what was going on in Herriman.”

In just three years immigration cases have climbed to nearly 13,000 from 752 in 2020, she said. “This has put a massive strain on our community and has been unparalleled.”

Riverton City has had to triple its budget to cover the cost of translation services and its Justice Court to meet the growing needs of non English speaking populations, said Pierucci. “We have had many schools that have seen over 126% increase in non English speaking students, which has created massive challenges in trying to meet the needs of those students with existing capacity and resources.” 

Pierucci said she will be building on the work that representatives have done in running legislation to increase the penalties for human trafficking. “We’ve seen an uptick in that as well. It’s critical that we’re cracking down on crime and working hand in hand with President Trump’s administration to expedite the process of exporting criminals who have entered our country either illegally or manipulated and abused our country's immigration system, who have come to America and then done harm to the public.”

Other proposed bills include repeat offenders, e-verify, property rights, foreign wire transfer fee and English language learners.

“We completely understand people’s desire to come to the United States and especially to Utah,” said Lisonbee. “This is the greatest country on earth and a place of opportunity. Utah is and will remain supportive of legal immigration. As a state founded by people fleeing religious persecution, Utah is especially welcoming to true refugees who have gone through the legal process.”

The bills will be numbered in the next week or two, she said. “But we know many Utahns are deeply concerned about these issues and we wanted to provide assurances that we are working to address them in the upcoming session.” λ