CLINTON -- Utah can expect to see more illegal immigrants when Arizona's law goes into effect, a local lawmaker says.
The illegal immigrants "in Arizona are coming to Utah because of Arizona's law," said Rep. Paul Ray, R-Clinton. "They're moving to Colorado and Idaho. We're going to see an influx of people here within the next 30 to 60 days."
That influx has Ray worried because it could mean a greater drain on Utah's resources. Utahns will pay for those who go to emergency rooms for health problems without insurance. More children could enter the school system. Utah schools are required to educate everyone whether they are here legally or not, he said.
Ray recently visited Arizona with Utah House Speaker David Clark and Rep. Stephen Sandstrom, R-Orem. Ray spent a day on horseback with ranchers to see what the problems are.
He is planning on co-sponsoring a bill with Sandstrom that will be similar to Arizona's law, which is expected to toughen enforcement against illegal immigrants.
Arizona's law requires police to question a person's status if they don't appear to be legally in the country.
Ray said what he saw is disturbing.
"On the ranch we were on in a normal week 600 to 1,000 illegal immigrants are coming across the property, bringing trash and using up the water resources," Ray said. "It's dangerous."
Ray, who serves on the American Legislative Exchange Council and is the chairman of the task force for public safety and homeland security, said protection along the border is almost non-existent.
The council is a nonpartisan membership association for conservative state lawmakers who share a common belief in limited government, free markets, federalism and individual liberty, according to its website.
Ray said he also spent a day talking to border patrol officers.
A surprising fact he learned was that the patrol agents are "extremely frustrated with current policies because it restricts them," Ray said.
One of the restrictions includes terminating foot chases of those who cross the border illegally if the person gets 300 feet over the border.
Officers have access to unmanned aerial vehicles but cannot fly them due to restrictions imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration, he said.
Ray said he is also concerned with the number of deaths associated with crossing the border.
Murders are common on the Mexico side of the border. The Mexican drug cartels have taken control of the corridors, he said, and require payment from those who want to cross the borders.
Ray said it's time for the U.S. to make it easier and quicker for immigrants from all over the world to enter the country legally.
"But first you got to close the border down first, then work on immigration reform."
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