Students Protest Immigration and Marriage Bills

Over fifty students marched on the University of Wyoming campus Friday afternoon with signs to show their opposition to a couple of house bills dealing with illegal immigration and the validity of same-sex marriages.

Five UW students organized the event.  One of the organizers, Jose Gamboa, said the purpose of the gathering was to be informative about the bills and to also show their opposition to them.  They believe the bills have the potential to group minorities in the state and create separation among the diverse University of Wyoming student body.

If passed, House Bill 94 would require immigrants to carry registration documents at all times while making it an offense to hire or transport unauthorized immigrants.  House Bill 74 would specify that Wyoming does not recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states.

Several students spoke at the march, which emphasized the Seal of the State of Wyoming which reads, "Equal Rights".  Laptops were available for students to go to the Wyoming Legislative website to read the bills and also email their representatives if they wished.

Gamboa said he did not want students who were considering the University of Wyoming to be discouraged from attending because of Wyoming state law and he wants all individuals to feel welcome and safe in Wyoming.

Supporters of House Bill 94 say the states need to step up where the federal government is falling short.  Similar legislation was passed last year in Arizona.  A Wyoming House committee shot down the bill Monday after representatives from business and industry groups spoke against it.

One of the sponsors of House Bill 74, Mountain View Republican Rep. Owen Petersen, says the bill will clarify what has always traditionally been Wyoming's view of marriage.  The bill passed the House Monday in a 32-to-27 vote.