Mexican President Vicente Fox will visit Salt Lake City later this month as part of a three-city tour of the United States, KSL-TV reported Thursday.

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. invited the Mexican leader to Utah last year during a meeting with Fox in Mexico City intended to foster a trade, educational and cultural alliance between Utah and Mexico.

Mike Mower, the governor's deputy chief of staff and spokesman, said late Thursday that Fox's trip to Utah, reportedly set for May 22, is anticipated even though it has yet to be formally announced.

"We've not had word through official channels announcing a visit from President Fox," Mower said. "However, it is something we're expecting, and we look forward to receiving official word soon."

Fox's trip, he said, "would be a follow-up to the visit Gov. Huntsman made to President Fox in Mexico last year. We anticipate their discussions will follow up on issues raised last year, including such topics as trade, education, cultural exchanges and immigration."

Salt Lake City Mexican Consul Salvador Jimenez wasn't available for immediate comment, but sources within his office said he had met with a delegation from Mexico, possibly discussing the potential visit.

In addition to sitting down with the governor, KSL-TV reported, Fox will spend time with Mexican community and business leaders and possibly address a special session of the Utah Legislature that would have to be called by Huntsman.

The television station also reported Fox may meet with leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Fox is scheduled to be in Seattle on May 24 and leave the following day, according to the Seattle Times. He is expected to conclude his U.S. visit in Sacramento, where he will meet with California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

This would be the first visit to Utah by a Mexican leader. It comes at a time when concerns over a U.S. House bill to crack down on illegal immigration brought thousands of protesters to the streets.

The turmoil is likely to continue later this month when the Senate is expected to debate a more comprehensive measure that, in addition to tightening security, could potentially grant legal status to millions of undocumented immigrants.

In a call for tougher border security and enforcement of immigration laws, Utah activists against illegal immigration plan to protest during Fox's visit. The Utah Minuteman Project's Web site says the group will demonstrate if Fox visits.

Fox must still obtain approval for his trip from Mexico's Senate. Mexico will hold elections later this year to replace Fox.

Huntsman left Mexico City last July without a firm commitment from Fox that the outgoing Mexican president would come to Utah. Huntsman followed through on his promise to Fox that he would push immigration reform with other Western governors.

In February, a proposal from Huntsman and Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano was approved by the Western Governors' Association. It called for the United States to adopt a temporary guest worker program but not grant amnesty to undocumented immigrants.

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