Fox News
Expand
Browse All Video
Watch Live

You're watching...

DOJ Challenges Utah Immigration Law

Details

  • Description

    State Representative Stephen Sandstrom on controversial legislation

  • Duration 4:25
  • Date

Clips

Also in this playlist...

Editor's Picks

Auto-advance: ON

Auto-advance
View All

Transcript

This transcript is automatically generated

Arizona and then Alabama and South Carolina and now the Justice Department is suing you -- over its new immigration law.

The department says the law is in clear violation of the constitution because it attempts to establish state specific immigration policy -- immigration is a federal issue.

Well joining us now is the man who authored the bill that is now the state -- You top representative Steven stand strong and -- president we thank you for joining us today I understand -- interrupting your vacation to come up being with us on the show today.

I ask you about the fact that -- no DOJ attorneys met with you all about the -- before the lawsuit was filed.

Had you hoped -- been able to avoid a lawsuit because -- law is different than some of the other states.

-- don't you tell law is very much different than other states in fact.

I -- face to face with the department just S and they indicated to me.

That this law was something that was more reasonable and much balance to -- better balanced approach than other states have done.

And so it was quite surprising.

Quite frankly that they decide to sue over house before 97 which is simply enforcing.

Current federal immigration law it just allows us to be a partnership with the federal government in -- forcing these types of laws.

And I pressed some comments and and when -- ask -- -- stand by -- -- you believe there is to mean internal pressure with in the administration with in the Department of Justice.

To file lawsuits in response to these state laws even -- -- hoped it wouldn't happen in this case.

-- I I certainly think there were pressures put on by the Obama administration to and -- into a lawsuit.

Because once again the Department of Justice officials I've met with and spoke with told me that this was a different feel this was a different -- to the way that you top approached.

It solution to working competitively.

In -- -- connect and I wave with the -- government that allowed us to enforce law but also not usurp federal authority.

-- and I know that some of the sections so people understand it that are being challenged senior law are a couple of things.

The requirement that law enforcement verify legal status for those arrested for class a misdemeanors or felonies.

-- to allow warrantless arrest of those suspected of being here illegally and to make it a crime to harbor or transport undocumented immigrants.

-- DHS secretary Janet -- kind of says that's gonna hurt your relationship.

Between law enforcement and the communities that they're serving do you agree or disagree.

Well I yeah I don't agree with that because what this did is that allowed are local and state law enforcement agencies to have -- discretion.

Warrantless arrests happen every day in the course of law enforcement and I do not believe the people truly realized that.

And also -- get -- states have passed laws prohibiting the transportation Harpring.

Illegal.

Immigrants here in the state you talk.

And what I think it really shelves right now is that there's a lack of courageous leadership.

In Washington DC.

Both.

Democrats and Republicans at finding a solution to this issue.

And in fact that's quite frankly why I'd like to see -- go forward with the state.

And as -- federal government to find a solution that works for everybody.

Well but your state attorney general -- -- governor feel confident that -- going to come out victorious when this does go to court a what do you think your chances of success of this lobbying upheld.

Well I I feel very hopeful that we can go ahead and be victorious.

With this lawsuit because once again it's a very -- approach.

And we do things differently in this PL.

And it just give the tools to law enforcement to work with.

The federal government enforcing laws already on the books within create a single new law.

And we do realize that dealing with illegal.

Immigrants here in the United States is a very complex issue.

And we need to work together as -- government and it's a state.

To get this problem solved and that's why once again we need courageous leadership -- Washington DC to get this job done.

And quite frankly that's why I'm actually running for the -- congress ought to work on this and many other.

Huge problems facing our nation.

And any way that we can work.

Bipartisan ship it to this issue.

Well I'm sure it'd be a topic you talked a lot about out there on the campaign trail.

You talk represented Stephen CN's Jim thank you very much for your time today sir.

Well thank you for -- Shannon I appreciate the opportunity to come on the show.

Load More