Yapias hopes July service day overcomes Latino stereotypes

A service day planned for later this summer could bring together two Utah communities that don't often see eye to eye — Latinos, some undocumented, and activists against illegal immigration.

Tony Yapias, organizer of the Latino Service Day scheduled for July 30, says he's inviting everyone to participate. That includes Alex Segura and other members of the Utah Minuteman Project, who recently offered to help out.

"We have basically given an open invitation to anyone who wants to participate," Yapias said, noting his response to an e-mail from Segura was, basically, "Please come join us."

Yapias, an immigrant rights activist and former director of the state Office of Hispanic Affairs, said he hopes the service day will become a regular event to overcome the "Latino stereotype."

"We want to show we are members of this community," he said. "We want to show we are proud to be in Utah."

For his part, Segura said minuteman participation in the service day doesn't mean he agrees with Yapias on the immigration issue.

"Yes, we have our qualms, obviously," said Segura, who attended the Unite to Fight Against Illegal Immigration program in Las Vegas this past weekend.

Segura, a Hispanic and Ogden native, also traveled to the Arizona-Mexico border in April to participate in the national Minuteman Project by watching for illegal border crossers, and is a board member of Utahns for Immigration Reform and Enforcement.

"I don't have a problem with helping out," Segura said. "I'm looking at the community as a whole. . . . This does not mean the minutemen support illegal immigration. We support our community."

Segura said the idea of potentially working side-by-side with illegal immigrants doesn't bother him. He did say he'd like to see efforts focus on areas he says he's seen run down by an influx of illegal immigration.

"I'm not a police officer," Segura said. "It's not up to me to enforce the law, I'm just pointing it out."

Segura isn't the only activist against illegal immigration to express interest in the service project.

Mike Sizer, chairman of Utahns for Immigration Reform and Enforcement, said he's not opposed to participating in the service day, and says it will likely be discussed at the group's next board meeting.

One of UFIRE's founders, Matt Throckmorton, who ran an unsuccessful bid to unseat U.S. Rep. Chris Cannon , R-Utah, says he has offered to help out.

"I would imagine that a good solid majority of Hispanics in Utah are legal, and law-abiding," Throckmorton said. "That's great. That's what we're supporting."

Though he's willing to help out, Segura still questions Yapias' motives in organizing the service day. He says he's seen far more negative impact from illegal immigration than positive.