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Pushing the Boundaries: Utah's New Immigration Law, Part 1

Sen. Luz Robles (D-Salt Lake) and Rep. Chris Herrod (R-Provo) talk with constituents after a debate on Senate Bill 81.
Sen. Luz Robles (D-Salt Lake) and Rep. Chris Herrod (R-Provo) talk with constituents after a debate on Senate Bill 81.

By Jennifer Napier-Pearce

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kuer/local-kuer-844622.mp3

Salt Lake City, UT – Barring an eleventh-hour legal challenge, a controversial immigration bill becomes law in Utah next week. Senate Bill 81 is a wide-ranging effort to crack down on undocumented immigrants at the state level. Those pushing for tougher immigration laws applaud it; local law enforcement, civil liberties advocates and immigrant rights groups say this is meddling in a federal issue. In a 4-part series, KUER explores how SB81 is affecting the state's burgeoning Hispanic community as well as local businesses and churches. We begin our series with a look at the bill's provisions and the political forces behind SB81. KUER's Jennifer Napier-Pearce reports.

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