At West High, the students — immigrants and native-born citizens alike — said they're facing a civil-rights struggle, like many generations before them.

"As much as America wants to deny it, we are the backbone," said sophomore Emmanuel Garcia, 16, who's not an immigrant. "America was built by immigrants.

"I don't think we should be seen as criminals," he added.

Marisela, an 18-year-old senior who asked to be identified by only her first name, said: "There are enough barriers already, and now they're going to give us more."

But Alex Segura, a Republican candidate in West Valley for the state House of Representatives, said that the students were being disingenuous in comparing the plight of illegal immigrants to past civil-rights movements.

"When you're talking civil rights, you are usually talking about American citizens," said Segura, who is director of the Utah Minuteman Project, a local group that is against illegal immigration.

"We've got illegal aliens who are holding themselves as citizens," he said. "They are the ones who have come here in disregard of our law. They are out of line."

Meanwhile, at least a dozen Latino groups are planning a rally and march to Utah's Capitol on Sunday, April 9. Organizer Tony Yapias, director of Proyecto Latino de Utah, said the march is meant to give Utah's Latinos a voice in the national debate and is planned to coincide with April 10 protests across the country.

"The point is to show solidarity," Yapias said. "We've long been quiet."

"More than anything," he added, "we want to make sure our community is well aware of what's going on."

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Contributing: Associated Press

E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com