SALT LAKE CITY -- Salt Lake City's police chief was in Washington, D.C. Wednesday morning to discuss his concerns about Arizona's immigration law.

Chief Chris Burbank was one of 10 police chiefs from across the country who met with U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder. Officials with the Police Enforcement Research Forum, or PERF, the group behind the meeting, say it was a very productive morning.

"This was the first time the attorney general had heard from practitioners all over the country," said Chuck Wexler, executive director of PERF. "He hasn't made his decision yet, but he said he took what we had to say very seriously."

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Police chiefs voice concerns to AG about Ariz. law

Arizona's new immigration law and similar proposals in other states would lead to an increase in crime, some police chiefs from around the country told Attorney General Eric Holder in an hourlong meeting Wednesday.

That decision: how to move forward with a law that's unpopular with many law enforcement agencies and minorities, but popular with many people throughout the country.

Wexler says Holder was engaged, asking tough questions throughout the meeting.

"He pushed us hard," Wexler said. "He said, 'Are you guys really soft on crime?' No, we're tough on crime."

An NBC/MSNBC/Telemundo poll, released Wednesday, showed that 70 percent of whites back Arizona's anti-immigration law, while just 31 percent of Latinos do.

Burbank says the law would jeopardize Utah's growing diverse population, especially with Latinos.

"One third of our population, to alienate them or to treat them differently than we do other people, well that's absolutely wrong," he said.

Burbank says the meeting ignited a healthy dialogue between Holder and all the chiefs. They believe the law will create more crime.

"It creates a class of victims who are afraid to report crime, afraid to participate," he said. "So it allows criminals to prey on those individuals."

The chiefs also told Holder that the law would divert resources by essentially turning all city officers into federal immigration agents.

The group questioned how the law is supposed to be carried out.

"What is the criteria then to stop somebody if it's not race, color of their skin, the language that they speak or their ethnic background?" said Burbank.

The NBC poll also showed that 68 percent of Latinos say immigration strengthens America, while 43 percent of whites believe so.

The Justice Department didn't say whether or not it planned to file any challenge to Arizona's law. Burbank says they did not discuss the news of sending troops to the border.

Ariz. senator criticizes chiefs

Meanwhile, the author of Arizona's controversial law is criticizing the meeting and the chiefs who attended.

Arizona Sen. Russell Pearce told ABC's Steven Portnoy that the chiefs work for "open border anarchist mayors who refuse to enforce the law."

Burbank was told about Pearce's comments after a news conference featuring the 10 chiefs.

"That is shortsighted and a misrepresentation of what is actually taking place," Burbank told Portnoy.

Burbank says immigration documentation crimes are a federal civil matter. His job is to enforce state and local laws.

"So to say we are not enforcing the law is absolutely incorrect," he added.

Salt Lake City's top cop said he was glad to get some time with Holder. He expressed his fears that if other states adopt Arizona's law, then a divide will grow between the Latino community and the police departments who are supposed to protect them.

"I mean this really comes down to the relationship between an officer on the street and a citizen in our community," he argued.

To hear Steve Portnoy's interview with Chief Burbank, play the audio on this page.

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Story compiled with contributions from Nicole Gonzales and Adam Thomas.

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