- Provo is hosting a bilingual town hall gathering geared to Spanish-speaking residents to foster connection.
- Mayor Michelle Kaufusi said the event planned for Thursday evening is meant in part to build trust.
- The event will include a question-and-answer session, Peruvian food and a performance by a Mexican dance group.
PROVO — Even as many immigrants across the nation face heightened scrutiny, Provo leaders are hosting a bilingual town hall meeting geared to Spanish-speaking residents that's meant to better connect them with the city.
"Provo's Hispanic and Latino community is an integral part of who we are as a city. It's not enough to say everyone belongs — we must demonstrate it through meaningful action. Events like this build the trust and connection that strong communities require," Provo Mayor Michelle Kaufusi said in a statement.
The gathering, to be conducted primarily in Spanish with English translation, will be held on Thursday, starting at 6:30 p.m., at the Provo City Library, 550 N. University Ave. It comes amid the ongoing crackdown on illegal immigration spearheaded by the administration of President Donald Trump, which has had ripple effects across Utah.
Kaufusi and other City Council members will take part in the event, which will feature a question-and-answer session, food provided by two Peruvian restaurants, and a performance by Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl, a Mexican dance group. The gathering is dubbed "Tu Voz Importa," or "Your Voice Matters" in English.
In holding the event, repeating a similar town hall meeting held last year, the Provo city officials noted U.S. Census Bureau estimates that show that Spanish is spoken in 18% of city households. "The event prioritizes creating an inclusive space where Spanish-speaking residents can directly communicate with their elected officials in their preferred language," reads Monday's announcement of the event.
Still, the focus under Trump on detaining and deporting immigrants in the country illegally, while supported by many, has also caused consternation among some. The mixed sentiments came into focus at a heated debate last month in Provo when Utah County commissioners voted to partner with U.S. immigration officials in efforts to identify immigrants in the county illegally.
The county officials stressed the importance of the arrangement in helping detect criminal immigrants in the county. Immigrant advocates and other foes, however — many from the Latino community — expressed concern that the move would sow fear in the broader immigrant community, among other things.
The Provo officials didn't touch on the immigration issue in announcing Thursday's town hall, but rather stressed the importance of connecting with all residents in the city. One of the goals of the outreach effort is to encourage the Spanish-speaking population to serve on boards and commissions in the city and to get more civically involved.
"It's also a chance for the Hispanic community to feel seen and heard. I'm grateful to Mayor Kaufusi and the Provo City Council for showing, through their presence and leadership, that they genuinely care about the well-being of the Hispanic community in Provo," said Jackie Larson, executive director of Elevate Utah, which is helping put on the event.
