Denver, 11 nov (EFE).- Varias decenas de dirigentes, empresarios, religiosos y políticos de Utah firmaron hoy un documento en que piden que los legisladores estatales adopten una \"postura moderada\" con respecto a la reforma migratoria local propuesta para el 2011. El documento, gestionado durante los últimos meses y firmado en el Capitolio en Salt Lake City, incluye cinco principios que, según los firmantes, deben \"guiar la discusión de Utah sobre inmigración\".

SALT LAKE CITY — Local Latino leaders welcomed a new document backed by a broad spectrum of Utah business, political and civic leaders aimed at reframing the heated and emotional debate on illegal immigration. Tony Yapias, director of Proyecto Latino de Utah, called the so-called Utah Compact and subsequent LDS Church statement of support a \"game changer\" in efforts to reform immigration laws at the state level.

“He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” — Luke 14:35, the Bible, King James Version Conservative Utah legislators who plan to ram through more legislation modeled after Arizona’s draconian anti-immigrant law should listen up: Utah is not Arizona and doesn’t aspire to be.

It seems so simple: A reasoned, principled and concise treatise on how Utah’s immigration issues can and should be debated. In short, the Utah Compact deems immigration policy and enforcement a strictly federal issue and urges compassion for all families, immigrant or not. It advocates a free-market philosophy and acknowledges the role played by immigrant workers and taxpayers.

A public divide surfaced between Latino leaders Friday when several high-profile immigration activists criticized the LDS Church for not going far enough in supporting the Utah Compact — a document designed to tamp down angry rhetoric on the issue. Archie Archuleta, chairman of the Utah Coalition of La Raza, said the church made progress with its statement emphasizing families and humane treatment of undocumented immigrants while throwing the issue back to the federal government.

SALT LAKE CITY -- Many Latino leaders are applauding the Utah Compact. The document contains five principles meant to guide Utah\'s immigration discussion. It was signed by business, community and religious leaders on Thursday. Leaders of Utah\'s Latino community hope a statement of support for the compact from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints will have a particular impact on state lawmakers

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - Today the Hispanic community is applauding the Utah immigration compact. Leaders say the compact and the support of the LDS Church raises the issue to a new level.

(KUTV) SALT LAKE CITY - One day after religious, community, and political leaders endorsed a new Utah \"Compact\" on immigration, local Latino leaders Friday endorsed the document, and a statement from the LDS Church they view as supportive of the framework on immigration legislation. \"We think this is a game changer,\" said Proyecto Latino head Tony Yapias, a Mormon, who had been critical of his church not making a firm statement against an Arizona style law here.

It seems so simple: A reasoned, principled and concise treatise on how Utah’s immigration issues can and should be debated. In short, the Utah Compact deems immigration policy and enforcement a strictly federal issue and urges compassion for all families, immigrant or not. It advocates a free-market philosophy and acknowledges the role played by immigrant workers and taxpayers.

The principles were hardly new: neighborly love, strong families, personal accountability. But the context was. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints took its strongest stance yet on illegal immigration Thursday, calling on lawmakers in Utah and beyond to take a humane and comprehensive approach to reform while warning against any actions that would separate families.

Rep. Stephen Sandstrom said the LDS Church’s position on immigration announced Thursday was directed squarely at his enforcement-only bill and suggested the church should leave the issue to lawmakers. “I kind of wish I’d been given more of a heads-up because it is taking aim at the bill I’m doing,” Sandstrom lamented Thursday. “My other thought was that I thought the church’s no-position was the best way to go and to let this be the purview of government.”

\"As a worldwide church dealing with many complex issues across the globe, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints promotes broad, foundational principles that have worldwide application. The church regards the declaration of the Utah Compact as a responsible approach to the urgent challenge of immigration reform. It is consistent with important principles for which we stand:

A declaration of five principles to guide Utah\'s immigration discussion FEDERAL SOLUTIONS: Immigration is a federal policy issue between the U.S. government and other countries — not Utah and other countries. We urge Utah\'s congressional delegation, and others, to lead efforts to strengthen federal laws and protect our national borders. We urge state leaders to adopt reasonable policies addressing immigrants in Utah.?

SALT LAKE CITY — Frustrated with a discussion some say has turned hateful, a broad swath of business, political and religious leaders joined forces Thursday to speak out against tough, enforcement-only immigration policy and urge legislators to take a gentler, more \"humane\" approach to reform. State legislators who have been lobbying for an aggressive charge against illegal immigration, in the meantime, remained undeterred.

SALT LAKE CITY -- An historic signing on immigration reform took place Thursday at the State Capitol courtyard. Representatives from corporations and businesses, state and city governments, community organizations and faiths stepped forward to lend support to what\'s titled \"The Utah Compact.\" They\'ve been working for several months to draft a statement to influence the tone of the discussion on the immigration issue.

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - The LDS Church is making what may be its strongest statement yet on immigration. The Church is joining Utah political and business leaders who, Thursday, signed a compact calling for more moderation and compassion on the issue. Attending the compact signing was Utah\'s attorney general, a former U.S. senator, a former congressman and former Governor Olene Walker.