Thursday night, at the monthly Hispanic/Latino community meeting at Salt Lake's Centro Civico Mexicano, Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff told a crowd of more than 300 people that while his job is to enforce the law, he does have personal concerns about HB109 because of some public safety issues. He said it would be better to issue licenses and track immigrants than to deny them that.

"Hispanics have always been here," he said. "They are a valuable asset."

Judy Hamaker-Mann, director of the Utah Driver License Division, was also on hand but declined to give an opinion on the bill. She told those present to "voice your concerns to legislators." During a Thursday news conference to dispel "myths" about his bill, Thompson emphasized that his purpose for sponsoring the legislation was simply to make sure that people who are breaking immigration laws are not given incentives to continue breaking the law.

"This is about wanting to institute the American tradition of following the law," he said. "But it has become a forum for those who don't follow the law to accuse those who do follow the law of being racist. I resent that."

Mexican community leaders, however, characterized the bill as bad for Utah's relations, especially economically.

"I am very concerned that the relationship between Utah and Mexico will be damaged if HB109 succeeds. This bill promotes hatred against the Mexican people," said Mexican consul Patricia Deluera during a Thursday morning news conference with LDS Church officials.

Gov. Olene Walker's chief economist, Neil Ashdown, said the relationship between Utah and Mexico is a vibrant part of the state's economy.

"The Latino population has contributed significantly to the Utah economy, and it benefits the state, the U.S. and Mexico to have a close relationship," Ashdown said.

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Contributing: Lynn Arave

E-mail: jloftin@desnews.com; abenson@desnews.com