Matching Utah businesses with Mexican buyers "doesn't seem to have a lot of crossover to border issues," Roybal said. "It's certainly a question for discussion, but clearly his message today was around this economic alliance we've created."

Kirk Jowers, director of the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics, said he would have been surprised if Fox had mentioned immigration during his speech "because it's an explosive issue right now."

The speech, Jowers said, was "a chance for him to have the message of a statesman and just focus on positive things." Besides, he said, immigration is a national, not a state issue and "Utah is just a bit player in that debate."

The chief executive officer of Bustos Media, a California-based company that owns several Spanish-language broadcast outlets in Utah, said he was pleased that Fox did not bring up immigration in that setting.

"People have to stop talking about all of the divisiveness," Amador Bustos said. "Let's look at what we have in common, not this single problem. Fear is really at the root of a lot of the immigration debate. There is no reason for it."

Following the luncheon speech, Fox held closed-door meetings with a number of Mexican-American business leaders as well as with a delegation from the University of Utah that included U. President Michael Young.

Young said the Mexican leader was surprising. "He was more substantive than I'd anticipated and less ceremonial," Young said. "It was interesting. We talked quite a bit about the broad relationship between Mexico and Utah."

The U. president said Fox was specifically interested in ways to expand training for nurses and other health-care professionals to meet the increasing needs of Mexico as well as other countries. The U. nursing school already has an exchange program with Mexico, Young said.

Fox ended the day at a state dinner at the Governor's Mansion, where the International Children's Choir performed Latin American folk songs. About 60 guests attended the formal event featuring foods from Utah, including wild asparagus harvested in Springville.

Fox was joined at the governor's table by President James E. Faust, second counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Other guests included Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon.

On Wednesday, Fox is scheduled to have breakfast at the west-side warehouse of a Mexican food company owned by an immigrant before meeting with leaders of the LDS Church and the governor.

Fox will also deliver an address to a special joint session of the Utah Legislature before leaving Utah. He canceled a press conference scheduled at the close of his visit and has said he will not take questions from the media.

Dozens of Mexican journalists accompanied Fox on this trip. In addition to the local English- and Spanish-language newspapers and television stations, reporters from CNN, the Los Angeles Times and other national media outlets are covering the visit.

Fox's visit attracted protesters, including about 150 people associated with the Utah Minutemen who waved signs outside the Governor's Mansion during the state dinner. Fox did not see the group because he was brought to the event through a back entrance.

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