Utah Hispanic Legislative Task Force to Meet with Governor

Apr 10, 2008 by Jeff Robinson

(KCPW News) This morning, the Utah Hispanic Latino Legislative Task Force will spend a few minutes with Governor Jon Huntsman to discuss concerns in the Hispanic community. Co-chairman Phil Bernal says the goal is to discuss anti-illegal immigration bills that came out of this year's session, whether or not they were signed into law.

"It's a way of the state saying, we don't want anybody here who looks different, speaks differently, walks differently, a particular type of individual," said Bernal. "It doesn't matter whether your family's been here for 300 years or three weeks, you're not welcome."

Bernal says the task force believes Governor Huntsman has a more open attitude toward immigrants in Utah, and wants him to exert his influence on legislators and constituents.

But the co-chairman adds that some statements made by legislators suggest there is racism on Capitol Hill, particularly when lawmakers refer to illegal immigrants as "them."

"It's hard to tell. In some of the conversations in some of the committee hearings, it appears to a number of us that it is racism, even though if you ask the individual, they'll say no, it's not racism," said Bernal.

Bernal says 15 Republicans and 15 Democrats sit on the community task force. He adds that members from both parties are concerned about the human rights impact of lawmakers' attempts to curb illegal immigration and the impact they will have on all minority communities.

Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom. Copyright 2008 KCPW