SALT LAKE (ABC 4 News) - Utah's attorney general is warning that if an Arizona style immigration law is passed in Utah
then crime may go up here.
Mark Shurtleff says some of his best informants are illegal immigrants, ones who may stop talking if a new law is passed.
We were interviewing the attorney general about his new plan for a guest worker program in Utah.
But, right in the middle of the interview, he let something slip.
It's about a possible unintended consequence of passing a tougher immigration law here.
Shurtleff has a special strike force called "Secure."
It focuses solely on illegal immigrants who commit serious crimes in the state.
But he caught ABC 4 off guard when he asked and then answered this question.
Mark Shurtleff: "Guess who the best confidential informants are? They're other illegal aliens."
The attorney general says other then being illegal immigrants, these informants are law abiding citizens who want to help.
He also says the informants provide valuable tips about crimes involving drugs, kidnapping, ID theft and gang activity.
But he adds,
"If we pass an Arizona style law, all my investigators who are working with these confidential informants, trying to get the bad guys who hurt us all,
they won't talk to us anymore."
The attorney general fears an Arizona law in Utah will force his informants underground.
He worries that if a tough law passes here, one targeting all illegal immigrants, then his informants will be afraid to talk to any officers,
even ones they've helped in the past.
"The perception is going to be, if you pass an Arizona style law, that people can no longer talk to cops if you're here illegally
and they won't give us information to go after the worst of the worst."
Shurtleff says he's talked to the likely sponsor of Utah's new immigration bill about this potential problem.
While the General claims was assured an exception would be created to protect his informants,
Shurtleff also hints that crime could go up if they become too afraid to talk.
