Huntsman preparing immigrant proposals

But Fox and other Mexican officials were more interested in talking about immigration. So Huntsman took on the controversial topic, persuading his peers several weeks ago to consider adopting a position on immigration for the first time. Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, a Democrat and the head of WGA, will co-sponsor the proposal.

Immigration is expected to be on the agenda when Huntsman meets with the Mexican ambassador to the United States, Carlos de Icaza, on Friday. The ambassador's visit, seen as a prelude to an appearance in Utah by Fox, is expected to generate anti-immigrant protests.

Alex Segura of the Utah Minuteman Project is one of about 20 people planning a demonstration at the Capitol Complex while Huntsman meets with the ambassador. Segura said the conversation should include what he sees as Mexico's responsibility for illegal immigration.

"They need to stop encouraging (illegal immigrants) to come to Utah and the United States," he said. "It's time for Mexico . . . to provide for their own citizens."

Segura did say Huntsman had shown good will by meeting with his group and agreeing to do so again in the future. He's for any plan that "helps secure our border," but added that he is wary of the president's guest-worker proposal.

"If there's going to be a guest-worker program, we first of all need to figure out who's here, and how many workers we need," Segura said. "We don't want a flood of workers."

Tony Yapias of Proyecto Latino de Utah said the president and governor are on the right track by recognizing this is an issue that needs to be addressed.

"Everybody will benefit from good, comprehensive immigration reform," Yapias said. "It's long overdue."

Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah, among those who has advocated for President Bush's immigration reform proposals, said he's pleased with the president's approach.

"I have long argued that in order to fully control our borders and stop illegal immigration, we must reform our entire immigration policy," Cannon said. "The federal government can no longer ignore this crisis. Americans are demanding real, comprehensive solutions to these very real problems, not sound bites or demagoguery."

A recent poll taken for the Deseret Morning News and KSL-TV found that Utahns support Huntsman's effort on immigration reform and believe he can influence the national debate, but they also want him to make it tougher for workers to come here from Mexico.

The governor has said whatever he comes up with won't be easier — or harder — on Mexican workers even though 67 percent of the 400 Utahns surveyed by Dan Jones & Associates said it should be tougher. Instead, he said, it will be "more orderly."

President Bush pitches border, immigration plan

Bush's immigration-reform proposals include:

• More resources and technology for border security.

• Three-year work visas, and extensions of up to three years, for undocumented aliens.

• Return of illegal immigrants to their hometowns rather than the U.S.-Mexico border.

• Stiffer workplace enforcement requiring businesses to screen job applicants more closely.

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Contributing: The Associated Press

E-mail: lisa@desnews.com