Utah Latinos urged to stay out of Arizona

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SALT LAKE CITY -- A new law debated heatedly in Arizona is now a heated demonstration on the streets in the state. While some urged peace, others threw bottles and trash at police.

The law, signed Friday by Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, makes illegal immigration a state crime in Arizona and requires police to check the status of people they believe are in the United States illegally. If they are here illegally, police then have the right to arrest them. The Latino community in Utah is reacting to news of the new law as well. Projecto Latino director Tony Yapias issued a press release Friday urging Latinos to avoid traveling in Arizona.

"Most of our families have to go back on their way to Mexico to visit, or when they vacation they drive through [Arizona]," Yapias says.

Yapias has received numerous calls and e-mails from people concerned similar legislation will soon come to Utah. He calls the new law outright racial profiling.

"It's a slap in the face to Latinos," Yapias says.

On the other side of the issue is Rep. Stephen Sandstrom of Orem.

"I reject the idea that it's racial profiling," he says.

As a co-founder of the Patrick Henry Caucus, Sandstorm believes illegal immigration is a states' rights issue.

"This legislation was needed, and I applaud the state of Arizona and my friend, Senator Pierce, for sponsoring the bill," Sandstrom says.

Sandstrom feels Utah will see many of Arizona's illegal immigrants coming to Utah. He says it's time for our state to create a law like Arizona's.

"I definitely will look to sponsor the exact legislation," he says.

In response, Yapias says, "I would caution them to think very carefully what they're doing."

Earlier Friday, President Obama called the Arizona bill "misguided" and instructed the Justice Department to examine it to see if it's legal. He also said the federal government must enact immigration reform at the national level - or leave the door open to "irresponsibility by others."

"That includes, for example, the recent efforts in Arizona, which threaten to undermine basic notions of fairness that we cherish as Americans, as well as the trust between police and their communities that is so crucial to keeping us safe," Obama said.

Utah Latinos are planning a rally on May 1.

E-mail: sdallof@ksl.com