Latino Mormons speaking out against Romney

By Russell Contreras

Associated Press

Published: Monday, Feb. 20 2012 1:28 a.m. MST

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Summary

When Honduran-born Antonella Cecilia Packard converted to the Mormon Faith 20 years ago, she said it was like "coming home."

Pablo Felix, a Spanish-speaking bishop of the Liahona Second Ward in Mesa, Ariz., was reluctant to criticize Romney but said the immigration stories in the Book of Mormon are powerful and one of the many factors that draw Latinos to the church and act on behalf of the faith.

Felix said he cannot be sure about his congregation, but he suspects some 60 to 70 percent of the members could be here illegally.

But Hispanic Mormons may have limited influence in Arizona's upcoming GOP primary and the general election this year. Garcia said that's because most are illegal immigrants and can't vote. Those who can, he said, lean toward moderate Democratic candidates.

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RantBully

Bend, OR

"We view immigration as a God event" - God also told you to honor, obey, and sustain the laws of the land.

1:47 a.m. Feb. 20, 2012
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slpa1

West Jordan, UT

I noticed while reading the article that the Latino spokespersons used the terms "immigration" and "illegal immigration" interchangeably, as if there were no difference. They coattail the terms together and then apply a religious More..

4:07 a.m. Feb. 20, 2012
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SSMD

Silver Spring, MD

Antonella Packard says Romney is "against immigrants." That is a misrepresentation, confusing "immigrants" with "illegal immigrants," a common disingenuous tactic used by too many people to divert the debate from the More..

6:26 a.m. Feb. 20, 2012
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