Utah has a few die-hard illegal immigration defenders, from talk show host Doug Wright to the Chief Of Police. IMO, the talk show host is basically one-sided and he only talks about the poor illegals and their hard lives. The radio station he works for is owned by a Church which also asks for compassion towards illegals so it's obvious why this guy is pro-illegal immigration "reform" as he calls it. The Chief Of Police is apparently getting what's now called "hate mail" for not wanting to enforce SB81.

In Utah, those NOT wanting to enforce immigration laws typically have some sort of affinity toward or a relationship with Mexico/Mexicans. Some have adopted children from that country. Others served religious missions there so they're unlikely to be pro legal immigration.

Since the State already knows that the federal government (probably) has no intention to solve the problem, the most convenient phrase frequently used is: "This is a federal problem" which basically leaves local leaders off the hook so they don't have to do anything while illegals continue to flow into the state by the thousands.

Every time the local media tries to push illegal immigration as being OK, the public fires right back. Here's an example:

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&si ... ments=true

And another one:
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=157&si ... ments=true

Many local businesses are making money off illegal immigration. They use illegals, they market to illegals, they cater to illegals, churches convert illegals, illegals open businesses and they have spokespersons rubbing shoulders with civic leaders and even the Governor to promote their cause. Utah also does a great deal of trade with Mexico and many Utah companies have branches there. Spokespersons for illegals usually get a lot of media exposure and those who oppose illegal immigration are often portrayed as Minutemen or hateful racists. The more the media tries to justify illegal immigration in Utah, the more Utahns fight back against it.