However, Yapias found it hard to see Hatch's message as anything but racist.

The message Yapias heard: "All of us (Latinos) are Mexicans. Not only that, all of us are illegal. Not only that, all of us are taking everyone's jobs."

Yapias, a naturalized citizen from Peru and graduate of Brigham Young University, said that attitude was expressed by Wandalee Anderson, a Save America member who talked to him after the meeting.

"She immediately identified me as a Mexican," Yapias said. "Her demeanor immediately changed when I said 'I'm from Peru.' "

Anderson said she is not opposed to immigrants. "We only want them to be here legally. . . . Our officials are not even allowed to ask people anymore if they are here legally."

In Utah, the immigration debate was heated during the past legislative session. UFIRE supported two bills: HB109, which would make illegal immigrants ineligible for drivers' licenses, and HB301, which would tighten motor-voter laws to keep noncitizens from voting. Both bills died, but UFIRE board member Alex Segura said both bills will be back in the 2005 session and he believes they'll have a good chance of passing because of awareness raised during the last session.

The bipartisan Utah Hispanic Legislative Task Force formed early this year as an educational group to counteract UFIRE, said co-chairwoman Luz Roblez.

Roblez said rather than coming up with real solutions, so-called anti-immigration groups seem to target "either closing the borders or getting rid of everyone with a Hispanic surname. That's not a real solution, especially with businesses still hiring. . . . It's almost irrational.

"I know for a fact a lot of people, immigrants themselves, feel threatened by this situation," she said.

Phillip Monta�o said he agrees with Hatch on immigration. Monta�o said he has seen wages in his own trade, remodeling, decline because of illegal immigration.

Hatch's "earnestness is mistaken for hatred," said Monta�o, whose grandfather emigrated from Mexico. "That's just not true. He sees a problem in America."

Segura, who sat in on a Save America meeting, said some of the things Hatch said "did make me feel a little palm sweaty," noting the focus was primarily on Mexicans when there are illegal immigrants from all over the world.

Segura said he talked to Hatch and was reassured that there would be less anti-Hispanic rhetoric. On the other side, he's been working to reassure the Latino community that a stand against illegal immigration isn't a racist one.