Several immigration bills focus of continued debate as end of Utah legislative session looms

SALT LAKE CITY — Immigrants and immigration have emerged as the focus of several measures put forward by Utah leaders, but as the 2026 legislative session winds down, none have yet gotten the OK from both Senate and House lawmakers.

One proposal, to increase the number of Utah businesses required to use systems like E-Verify to verify the migratory status of their workers, fizzled on Monday. The House approved HB294 55-14 on Feb. 24, but a vote in the Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee to favorably recommend the proposal to the full Senate failed, 4-3, stalling the measure.

HB209, previously approved by House lawmakers, passed Wednesday in the Senate, though now it goes back to the House for reconciliation, while HB136 has been approved in the House and just lacks consideration by the full Senate. Two others, HB386 and HB141, received approval in the House but haven't yet been heard by a Senate committee, typically the step before full Senate consideration. Two others, HB287 and HB571, haven't been touched all session and are most likely dead.

HB386, which would prohibit immigrants in the country illegally from accessing lower, in-state tuition at Utah universities, among other things, has perhaps prompted the most uproar. But here's a look at all the varied measures that take a cue from the national crackdown on illegal immigration and their status as of late Tuesday, with a flurry of action likely before the end of the session on Friday.

HB294: Sponsored by Rep. Tiara Auxier, R-Morgan, would have required any Utah business with 50 or more workers to verify that their workers are in the country legally through E-Verify or other similar programs. Current law only requires companies with 150 or more workers to verify the migratory status of their employees.

Many lauded the measure as a means of cracking down on illegal immigration, while others warned of its potential adverse impact on the ability of employers to find enough workers. As the measure progressed, the threshold for verification of workers' status was changed to businesses with 100 or more workers. During Monday's committee hearing, the threshold was changed to businesses with at least 125 workers, but it still stalled.

HB209: Sponsored by Rep. Cory Maloy, R-Lehi, the bill would redouble efforts to keep immigrants off the voter rolls.

Immigrants, legal or otherwise, are already prohibited from registering to vote. At the same time, the number of immigrants actually registering is minuscule, with 99.9% of Utah voters "verifiably U.S. citizens," according to preliminary findings in a recent study by the Utah Lieutenant Governor's Office.

Maloy, nevertheless, sees the measure as an extra safeguard. Under HB209, county clerks would be required to verify the citizenship status of those registering to vote, which, for most people, can be done by showing a driver's license. A simple attestation wouldn't be enough.

Both House and Senate lawmakers approved the measure, though House officials must still review minor changes made in the Senate on Wednesday.

HB136: The bill, sponsored by Rep. Matt MacPherson, R-West Valley City, would allow police to impound vehicles driven by motorists without licenses.

MacPherson said the measure is aimed at lawbreakers, regardless of their personal identifiers. But both supporters and foes have singled out the potential impact of the measure on immigrant drivers who drive without licenses or driving privilege cards.

House lawmakers approved it, it's received a favorable recommendation from a Senate committee and it awaits full Senate consideration.

HB386: The House narrowly approved HB386 last week after elements of HB88, meant to prevent immigrants in the country illegally from tapping into public services, were folded into it.

The reworked version of HB386, originally meant just to repeal outdated immigration legislation, now also contains provisions prohibiting immigrants in the country illegally from being able to tap into in-state university tuition, certain home loan programs and certain professional licensing.

Rep. Trevor Lee, R-Layton, the sponsor of HB88, aims to ensure taxpayer funds are directed to U.S. citizens or immigrants in the country legally. Foes, though, worry the tuition provision would make college too expensive for impacted students, who would have to pay higher out-of-state tuition rates.

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House lawmakers approved HB386, sponsored by Rep. Lisa Shepherd, R-Provo, but it has yet to be heard by a Senate committee.

HB141: The bill, sponsored by Rep. Stephanie Gricius, R-Eagle Mountain, would make immigrants in the country illegally pay a 2% tax to wire money abroad.

Gricius touts the measure as a means of putting a check on wiring of funds out of the United States by drug traffickers and cartels. Foes worry it would adversely impact those sending money to family members living abroad, among other things.

The measure passed in the House has not yet been heard by a Senate committee.

Two measures sponsored by Lee, HB287 and HB571, have yet to get a committee hearing and are likely dead. HB287 would end Utah's driver privilege card program, which allows immigrants in the country illegally, among others, to get permission to legally drive on Utah's roads. HB571 contains language meant to force cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration agents in tandem with President Donald Trump's continuing crackdown on immigrants in the country illegally, among other things.

Any bill approved by the House and Senate would still be subject to the governor's consideration.

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