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John Daley ReportingA two-day visit to the Beehive state including meetings with the governor, members of Utah's Mexican community and perhaps the president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, that's the plan for a trip here by Mexico's president later this month.
An estimated nine percent of the residents of Salt Lake City are Hispanic; most of them have roots in Mexico.
Earlier today the Consul General of Mexico held a news conference to announce preliminary plans for the visit of Mexican President Vicente Fox, the first-ever official visit to Utah by a president from that country.
Salvador Jiminez says Fox will be here May 23rd and 24th and comes at the invitation of Governor Jon Huntsman. On the agenda are meetings with Huntsman and perhaps LDS President Gordon B. Hinckley, also a possible speech at a special session of the Utah legislature.
The visit comes in the wake of massive protests for immigration reform nationwide. The overall goal is improving political, economic and cultural ties.
Minister Salvador Jimenez, Consul General of Mexico in Salt Lake City: "So we get to know each other better and establish that ultimate goal that is a stronger and lasting friendship between the two places."
Gov. Jon Huntsman, (R) Utah: "I told him I thought it would be important for him to visit some of the western states where immigration has emerged as an issue."
We likely will see demonstrations timed to coincide with Fox's visit. According to the website for the Utah Minuteman Project, the group is planning a protest May 24 at the Capitol.
The consul general also says there will be an event planned to allow President Fox to meet with members of the Mexican community, though they are still working out the details.
