Immigration Crackdown Worries Local Hispanic Activist
Aug 13, 2007 by Julie Rose

(KCPW News) Congress failed to pass immigration reform this year, so President Bush has announced his own plans to crack down on illegal immigrants. The proposal, unveiled Friday, boosts border security and calls for state and local police officers to enforce immigration laws.
With the total crackdown they're going to do, it's going to break our families apart," says Tony Yapias, founder of the Utah Latino Project.

Yapias says many local Hispanics are disappointed that President Bush is calling for the enforcement crackdown rather than waiting for Congress to pass full reform. The crackdown also includes tougher scrutiny for employers who hire undocumented workers. Yapias says the changes will have serious consequences on immigrants already established in Utah and contributing to the local economy:

"If someone was just coming in new for the first time, the consequences of the crackdown may not be as severe as for someone who has a career, family, a job, a car payment and has established themselves in the community," says Yapias. "It will create all kinds of ripple effects."

Yapias says local immigration activists may organize a march or demonstration in the coming weeks to oppose the enforcement crackdown. Congress is unlikely to address comprehensive immigration reform again until after the 2008 election.

http://www.kcpw.org/article/4142