Utah Still Awaiting Federal Judge’s Next Move on Immigration

It has been one month since the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on the Arizona immigration law, and Utah is still waiting for Judge Clark Waddoup’s (the federal court judge considering Utah’s immigration law) next move. Back in February, Judge Waddoup announced that he would defer ruling on Utah’s HB497 until after the Supreme Court made its ruling on the Arizona law.

Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff believes the Supreme Court decision was a “victory” for the Utah legislation. Opponents of the Utah law believe the decision was a “flashing red light” for several provisions of the legislation, including the provision allowing law enforcement to inquire about immigration status. Experts all agree that the Supreme Court decision opened the door to further litigation.

Judge Waddoup has not yet issued a ruling on the Utah immigration law. Utahns on both sides of the issue are anxiously awaiting this decision, and have come to recognize that this issue is far from a final resolution.