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A new eye-opening University of Utah study should be must reading for anyone trying to genuinely understand the impact Mexican immigrants are having on the Beehive State.
It's true a significant portion of the Mexican immigrant community is here illegally. The estimate is 44 percent.
That also means most are here legally!
They own nearly 2,000 businesses in Utah accounting for $227 million in annual sales. They employ more than 3,000 people and during the year studied, they paid $85 million in wages.
The last year with data available, 2000, Mexican immigrants paid about $67 million in income, sales and property taxes to Utah.
The study also looked at trade relations, education and tourism. More compelling findings:
-Mexico ranks eighth in Utah exports.
-By 2018, 24 percent of Utah high school graduates will be Hispanic.
-98,000 Mexican tourists visited Utah in 2002 and 2003 and spent a million dollars.
The bottom line: Utah's Mexican connection goes well beyond the volatile issue of illegal immigration.
Obviously, the study generates more questions and lays the groundwork for further analysis of Utah's relationship with Mexico. Still, these results should help break down stereotypes, open doors of understanding, and encourage more intelligent, rather than emotional decision making at all levels of society.
