Mike Sizer of Utahns for Immigration Reform and Enforcement was not surprised at the poll results. "What we're finding is people feel that many of these illegal people who are here are taking advantage of the system as it is now," Sizer said.

The public wants to see more enforcement along the nation's borders with Mexico, according to Sizer, who recently visited the area. "It's too easy to just walk across the border," he said. "People don't want that."

Joe Reyna, incoming chairman of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce board of directors, said the demand for workers from Mexico continues to grow, especially as the U.S. population ages.

"There's no way to focus on a 'Berlin Wall' on the border to keep them out if the demand is still high for cheap labor," Reyna said, praising the governor for getting involved in the issue. "Even though it's not his responsibility, he's taking the initiative."

It will be up to Congress, of course, to make any changes to the nation's immigration policies. Huntsman is hoping that by agreeing on what needs to be done, the Western governors can have an impact on that decision.

"If the governors of the front-line states can't have some influence in the outcome of this policy, then heaven help us," Huntsman said. "We deal with this on a regular basis. We deal with it from a human standpoint. We deal with it from a financial standpoint."

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