Lee proposes change to keep immigrant suspects 'from fleeing and failing to appear for trial'

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Utah Sen. Mike Lee has introduced legislation meant to prevent certain immigrants suspected of federal crimes from fleeing the country before they can be tried.

The proposal targets immigrants in the country illegally facing felony charges and class A misdemeanors in federal court.

Under the change, impacted immigrants "shall be presumed" to be flight risks, the legislation reads.

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Sen. Mike Lee wants to make it tougher for immigrants in the country illegally who face federal charges to secure release from detention pending resolution of their cases.

The Republican lawmaker introduced legislation Thursday, the Flight Risk Reduction Act, meant to prevent such suspects "from fleeing and failing to appear for trial,"