In Utah, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the Mormon church, worked with state business interests and legislators to turn a tough anti-illegal immigration bill into a more moderate approach. They accomplished this in part by offsetting law-enforcement provisions with a first-in-the-nation state guest-worker program to give illegal residents a way to come to Utah lawfully to work.
The law requires immigration-status checks of those suspected of committing felonies and serious misdemeanors, but it gives police more discretion when investigating perpetrators of lesser crimes, including traffic violations.
Critics didn't buy the "kinder, gentler" argument. "This ill-conceived law is just as harsh, turning Utah into a police state where everyone is required to carry their 'papers' to prove they are lawfully present," said Karen McCreary of the Utah chapter of the ACLU.
US District Court Judge Clark Waddoups granted a temporary injunction against the entire law on May 10, saying it could cause "irreparable harm." Judge Waddoups is scheduled to revisit the case on July 14.
