Latinos shun calls for march

Increased enforcement and new state law make the timing poor, leaders say

Jennifer W. Sanchez

Posted: 8:57 PM- Immigrant rights and anti-war groups in California and New York are planning demonstrations Thursday for International Labor Day, but Utah Latino leaders say they won’t be organizing a march here.

Many immigrants and their supporters in the Beehive State are reluctant to rally because of the increase in immigration enforcement and state legislation targeting illegal immigration.

Since Utah lawmakers approved a new immigration law, some Latinos - with and without documentation - are scared to voice their opinions, said Antonella Romero Packard, a spokeswoman for the Utah Hispanic/Latino Legislative Task Force. The law, which takes effect in July 2009, allows some law enforcement officers to enforce immigration laws and forces some employers to verify the U.S. documentation status of their workers.

“They fear that if they [speak out], there might be [retaliatory] measures,â€