NEWS

WIRES

OTHER

Utah 2012 Attorney General Hopeful Sean Reyes Comments on Utah Immigration Policy & "Next Steps"

According to Reyes, there are several steps required before controversial immigration laws such as HB116 take effect in 2013. "SB138 is a step in the right direction because it requires heightened accountability through fingerprinting and proactive background checking. While there are many who would like to see the driver's privilege card eliminated entirely, the amended law is a good example of Utah's constitutional process at work. While driving privilege cards are in place, these new provisions will better safeguard our state. I look forward to revisiting the impact of this new law in 2012."

"We're not a state that looks away when there are hard and, at times, divisive issues. Immigration is such an issue," explains immigration attorney Barbara Melendez, a partner with the Utah-based firm Kirton & McConkie. "This is precisely why we need political leaders such as Sean Reyes who are willing to step up and tackle the tough and often unpopular questions."

Reyes adds: "From the county sheriff to the city police chief, from the state legislators to our governor and parents everywhere, our mission as a state is to promote the safety and prosperity of our children and families. Whether we eliminate HB116 or amend it to include, among other things, truly mandatory English language requirements and stronger enforcement of identity theft, getting the law right from the outset will help ensure the key goals of this mission. In doing so, we hope to avoid a situation in Utah like ObamaCare has been nationally, an unconstitutional law that was foisted on Americans in a deceptive and less than transparent manner."

Reyes concludes: "With so much emphasis focused on dealing with illegal immigrants already within our country, it would be easy to forget about the issue of strengthening our borders. Successful immigration policy must also deal with border issues as part of a comprehensive solution. Today, drugs and gangs are pouring through federal lands on the U.S./Mexico border practically unabated and making their way into quiet Utah towns. Congressman Rob Bishop has a smart bill that addresses this very issue by equipping border agents with the flexibility to pursue and apprehend smugglers, gang members or anyone else using federal lands as a safe harbor for crossing. Though we do not deal directly with border enforcement as a state, we should use whatever resources we can to support bills like Congressman Bishop's as part of a comprehensive federal solution."

ABOUT SEAN D. REYES

Sean D. Reyes currently serves as general counsel for eTAGZ, a local media company. Formerly, Reyes was a partner at Utah's largest law firm, Parsons Behle & Latimer, and was the 2008 Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year for the United States as recognized by the American Bar Association. He has garnered numerous national and professional awards, including the first-ever Young Distinguished Alumni Service Award from Brigham Young University. For over a decade, Reyes has served as a small claims judge, and has been appointed to both state and federal commissions, including a Presidential Commission established by President George W. Bush. Reyes, a father of six and son of immigrant parents with Asian, Hawaiian and Spanish heritage, is considered a rising star in law and business. Reyes seeks to combine his broad support from Utah lawyers, executives and small business owners, along with mounting excitement from Republican Party delegates, grassroots leaders and average citizens to become Utah's next Attorney General in 2012.

EDITORS NOTE: Sean Reyes is available for comment; images available upon request.

For Freedom Defense PAC
Lee Rech, 801-556-8423 - cell
lee@lbrcommunications.com