While Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. has yet to sign an agreement, those on both sides of the immigration debate in Utah are already abuzz over the governor's proposed "Alliance for Prosperity" with Mexico.

Huntsman, who returned from Mexico City Thursday, also said he wants to work with the Western Governor's Association on issues such as trade and immigration.

Details weren't yet available but immigrant-rights activists said by working together, the Western governors could send a message to Washington policy makers. Activists against illegal immigration, meanwhile, expressed disappointment in the governor's focus on a formal relationship with Mexico.

Karen Deike, spokeswoman for the Western Governors Association, said she wasn't aware of Huntsman's plan being discussed during a recent association meeting, though it may have been discussed behind closed doors.

"It's very common that governors may come upon an issue they think is a natural for the WGA and take it from there," she said.

A call to new WGA chairwoman Janet Napolitano's office wasn't immediately returned Thursday.

Archie Archuleta, chairman of the Utah Coalition of La Raza, said states working together could very well influence the federal government.

He said while the governor's plan remains vague, it has the potential to be beneficial to Utah, economically and in dispelling what he sees as a growing a growing "anti-immigrant binge."

"It will be good economically for us, and we're hoping it will be good economically for Mexico," Archuleta said. "It will increase our employment, increase the amount of goods made here . . .That will be reciprocated in the well being of the Mexican people. That will be a great giant plus."

Latino rights activist Tony Yapias said Huntsman appears to have made a "move in the right direction. ...

"It's very, very important for talks to begin. He's on the right path," Yapias said. "I would welcome that if all the governors would start working together."

However, Alex Segura of the Utah Minuteman Project and Utahns for Immigration Reform and Enforcement, said it looks like the governor has "taken this on his own accord."

He criticised Huntsman's proposals, including a plan to bring teachers from Mexico to help teach English to Spanish speaking students.

"It's just altogether the way he makes it sound like we're all hand-in-hand with what we're attempting to do," Segura said. "I think he's just overstepping his authority."

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E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com