Fox visit to focus on state ties

It is also meant to continue a trade, educational and cultural alliance between Utah and Mexico, which Huntsman pitched when he met with Fox in Mexico last year. Jimenez said that relationship will likely continue after Fox's term ends at the end of the year.

"There has been substantial progress since the visit of Gov. Huntsman to Mexico," Jimenez said, noting that seven of 10 Utah companies that recently sent representatives to Mexico are now in a position to sign contracts, and another trade delegation is planned. He said "important businessmen" are expected to join Fox on his visit here.

The visit won't be without controversy. Jeanetta Williams, president of the NAACP's Salt Lake Branch, expressed concerns because of Fox's statement last year that Mexican immigrants take jobs that "not even blacks" are willing to do. She also expressed disappointment that he turned down an invitation to speak at the NAACP national convention.

"The convention would have offered President Fox a unique opportunity to explain his comments and detail his efforts at erasing racial enmity to the largest collection of civil-rights activists in the United States," Williams said.

Williams said she hoped Fox would use his visit to Utah to address those comments, which she said harmed historically good relations between African Americans and Latino Americans.

Immigration is another hot topic that Fox's visit is likely to stir up. It could come as the U.S. Senate debates sweeping immigration reform, which Republicans have said could resurface next week.

Activists against illegal immigration are planning to protest. But Jimenez said demonstrations aren't a cause for concern.

"I am confident our relationship with Utah is so good," he said. "That good attitude will overcome any particular manifestation."

Jimenez said he couldn't comment on the importance of the visit to the immigration debate. However, he did say that Fox is concerned about human rights and labor rights, which the consul is working to protect.

He said Utah has a favorable atmosphere for Mexican immigrants. It offers driving-privilege cards and in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants.

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