ST. GEORGE -- Arizona's immigration law may be in legal limbo, but many illegal immigrants just across the Utah border fear the law and its adoption here.

An immigrant's perspective on the Ariz. law

"I try to not get a ticket or something with the cops," a man named Miguel told KSL Newsradio.

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Faced with the same worries as most migrant workers, his situation is significantly different: he is a white-collar worker in the technology industry.

"I just came here because I wanted to have a better life, and since I came I've been doing good I think," Miguel said. "For me, the United States is a pretty good country so far."

Miguel's journey started four years ago in Tabasco, Mexico. There, he had trouble buying a car and a house. If an Arizona-style law does come to Utah, Miguel fears he may have to move again.

"I pay my taxes every year," Miguel said. "I'm just trying to be like a real citizen."

Anger growing among residents of southern Utah

Meanwhile, the anger is mounting in Utah's Dixie over illegal workers like Miguel. The ranks of anti-illegal immigration groups are growing.

The Citizens Council on Illegal Immigration now boasts more than 300 members and holds monthly meetings. Their concerns over these workers run deep.

St. George resident Patty Gardner says, "I think they will migrate around surrounding states, and I do think it'll affect Utah."

"If they're illegal, they don't need to be here," said Charlie Philips, a Santaquin resident.

Another St. George resident, Rob Roknick, says, "I think it'll put a strain on the community."

Illegal immigration and employment

More recently, though, founders of the Citizens Council on Illegal Immigration have been focusing on a positive aspect of immigration reform: local businesses' use of E-Verify.

"We felt that instead of trying to beat people over the head for hiring illegal aliens, we try to reward employers who hire only people who are in this country legally," said group member Bob Sears.

The group now posts a notice showing the employers who use E-Verify; it's called the Washington County Patriot Award.

Businessmen and politician talk about another problem: people in these tough economic times seeking work and finding many jobs filled by migrant workers.

"Whether that competition is between a citizen and a non-citizen -- or at least someone who is not eligible to work here -- that hurts; that hurts a family," says St. George city councilman Gil Almquist, who also runs a landscaping business.

Almquist says he would be in favor of an Arizona-style law, sans the troublesome profiling potential.

As for St. George Mayor Daniel McArthur, he worries that illegal immigrants could have negative impact on his city.

"So as a result, it does affect your schools, it does affect your hospitals, it affects all areas of life," McArthur said. "It doesn't matter if it's traffic, or apartments or housing or whatever, it's affected by that."

Miguel says many illegal workers doubt they are taking jobs away from citizens. They contend they are taking jobs Americans do not want.

Illegal immigration and crime

Bob Sears and his wife, Phyllis, say they saw some of the same early problems in St. George that they saw in Phoenix long ago.

When they moved to the area 11 years ago, they say it was a virtually no-crime community. Now the Sears point to gang violence and a number of murders this decade as signs the times have changed.

"Most people say the poor people -- they're good people, they are -- but they bring with them a huge element that brings great destruction," Phyllis Sears said.

"I think what needs to happen is we need to seal that border," Phyllis continued. "And if that means sending troops down there, let's do it."

Her group is also supportive of deporting many if not most of the illegal immigrants in this country.

Some people in St. George think it's unlikely we'll see an influx of people coming in from Arizona, especially since some Utah lawmakers are trying to pass a bill similar to Arizona's.

Ron Current, founder of the group Impact of Southern Utah, says, "They will probably head to Nevada, to California, to Texas. They will go to places where they feel more comfortable and where the laws are more relaxed."

For now though, Utah might seem more welcoming than Arizona.

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Story compiled with contributions from Andrew Adams and Nicole Gonzales.

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