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Richard Piatt ReportingThe huge turnout at Sunday's immigration rally was a surprise to most people in Utah; that's according to an exclusive Survey USA poll, taken for KSL today. That same poll shows most people could be in for another surprise.
Over the last 16 years, Utah's Hispanic population has skyrocketed; it's 200-percent higher today than in 1990. A lot of those people have jobs and there's a definite effect on the state's economy.
New Home construction is still booming and there are more Latinos and Hispanics doing those jobs than ever before. There are also more immigrants working in landscaping, housekeeping, food preparation and janitorial jobs than ever before. In fact, according to state data, Hispanics are now approximately 10 percent of the state's population and workforce.
Robert Spendlove, State Economist: "Utah has a very strong economy and so it's going to continue to attract both US and international migrants."
There is opportunity for immigrant workers. There are also strong opinions about those opportunities in the big picture.
Half of the 400 people Survey USA polled for KSL say they agree with the statement, "Immigrants are doing jobs native Utahns don't want." 43 percent say they don't agree with that statement.
And if workers walk out or strike in favor of immigration reform, most people, 51 percent, say they think the impact on Utah's economy would be minor. 25 percent fear a major impact. 22 percent don't think there will be much of an impact.
State economist Robert Spendlove says the sheer numbers of immigrants predict what could happen.
Robert Spendlove: "If all of them were to participate in this, you would see roughly 10 percent of the workforce leave all at once. So that would be a tremendous impact."
The poll shows a vast majority, 58 percent, oppose a walkout or strike, even for a day. 27 percent support a job action, a drastic way to get a lot of people's attention. Right now there's no word that such a job action is close, but it is always possible.
One thing is clear, immigration is already the top social issue of this election year.
