Census: Utah more racially integrated than most states

SALT LAKE CITY — While finger-pointing and angry questions permeated an immigration debate held Tuesday night at Northwest Middle School, census figures released earlier in the day indicate that Utah is among the most integrated states in the country in terms of different races living in proximity to each other.

The numbers showed segregation declining across the United States.

Utah ranks 13th for integration of blacks and whites, 8th for integration of Hispanics and whites and 5th for Asians and whites, according to data drawn from the 2009 American Community Survey. Among the 100 largest major metro areas in the country, Provo-Orem is the second-most integrated for Hispanics and whites. Ogden-Clearfield is ranked 14th, and Salt Lake City comes in 42nd.

But Tuesday's debate — conducted entirely in Spanish — highlighted the stark differences of opinion that continue to loom over attempts at immigration reform.

State Sen. Stephen Sandstrom, R-Orem, defended his proposal for an Arizona-style immigration bill that would put enforcement first and crack down on document fraud. He said that while he believes everyone in the United States should speak English, he agreed to speak Spanish in the forum because he felt his bill had been misunderstood.

Sandstrom said immigration is "a big problem that is growing, and we need to do something about it."

Arturo Morales, of the Coalition of Immigrants against Illegal Immigration, proposed a guest worker program coupled with strict enforcement against companies who hire undocumented workers. The crowd of about 100 people bristled when he quoted a group that said illegal immigrants cost Utah $453 million a year.

Meanwhile, Sen. Luz Robles, D-Salt Lake City, and attorney Mark Alvarez emphasized the economic contributions that immigrants make, and urged finding a way to deal with those already in the country.

Robles said the highest cost of immigration is the "hate" she said has been stirred up in the immigration debate.

"We need to leave aside emotions" and provide "pragmatic solutions," she said.

Alvarez added, "A good society wouldn't turn its back to immigrants. We should integrate them better."

Still, racial divisions remain in many American communities.