Some local governments are also acting by passing ordinances such as English-only laws or prohibiting landlords from renting to illegal immigrants.

In Utah, the Washington County Republican Women recently, with overwhelming support, voted to send the state a letter asking for a crackdown on illegal immigration similar to what Oklahoma lawmakers passed in May. That state's bill, the toughest so far in the nation, was created to deny jobs and public benefits to undocumented immigrants.

"They're seeing a lot more problems," said Christine Blum, president of the Republican group. She was referring to issues such as crime, employment and education. "Teachers have to give their attention to those who don't speak any English; that takes attention away from legal Americans."

Several contentious bills have surfaced to restrict undocumented immigrants in the past few years but have failed to pass. Currently, undocumented immigrants can drive using a driving privilege card but not a driver's license. Those who attend a Utah high school for three years and graduate can pay in-state tuition at colleges and universities.

But lawmakers may be more willing to act on immigration bills than they have in the past. In July, state lawmakers opted to send the federal government a bill for the cost of educating undocumented immigrant children and formed a working group to come up with ways to ensure employers don't hire undocumented workers.

Increased discrimination

Just over half of the 900 immigrants from Mexico and Central America interviewed in a recent Inter-American Development Bank survey were undocumented. Some 83 percent of Mexicans and 79 percent of Central Americans said discrimination against Latin Americans is growing. And about one in three said discrimination against immigrants is the biggest problem they face. That was followed by low salaries and increased cost of living.

In Wendover, Utah, 46 percent of the residents are immigrants, according to the 2000 Census, and many have roots in rural Zacatecas. A group of Mexican immigrants recently discussed their own experiences, saying some people here don't seem to want them.

Adrian Delgadillo, originally from Guadalajara, says he hears a lot of negative rhetoric. People accuse him of not paying income taxes, even though taxes are taken out of his paychecks.

"People say we aren't paying taxes," he says. "Yes, we are. We don't have choice."

Rosa Covarruvilas, 45, is now a U.S. citizen, but it wasn't always that way. She had to cross the border illegally several times and remembers grueling days picking crops years ago, after following her husband here from Zacatecas state.