"They seem to have hardened positions and increased tensions rather than moved people toward consensus," spokesman Peter Carr said.

Rallies across the country and a national "day without immigrants" have drawn large crowds in recent weeks, including in Salt Lake City where an estimated 40,000 people marched April 9 to the Capitol in a show of opposition to a U.S. House bill that would make being in the country illegally a felony.

The U.S. Senate is debating immigration reform, though there has been no action this week as leaders try to decide how to shape the legislation. A compromise appears weeks, if not months, away.

Comments flowing into congressional offices, meanwhile, seem to be taking a vitriolic tone.

"Many people have difficulty controlling their emotions and break down because they are so upset," Carr says, adding that Hatch received a "death threat" from a caller this week who was adamantly opposed to amnesty.

At least one organizer of the Utah protests wasn't pleased with Hatch's comments about the rallies hurting the cause of participants.

Tony Yapias, coordinator of Proyecto Latino de Utah who helped plan the Utah march, said Wednesday he wants to meet with Hatch. He said he hopes Hatch isn't comparing Utah's "reserved" demonstrations to those elsewhere in the country.

"We understand the politics in Utah, " Yapias added. "We can't be as liberal or extreme as groups in California."

Yapias said he understands Hatch is "up for re-election and has to cover his race," but, Yapias said he has heard other lawmakers talk about the powerful message the demonstrations are sending to Congress.

He also noted that, "Everyone seems to be paying [more] attention to the anti-immigrant calls than to us."

But Hatch said has been flooded with calls and letters over immigration reform. And Carr says an "overwhelming majority" are opposed to any form of amnesty and upset about the protests.

Other congressional offices report a slight bump in constituent mail, but nothing unusual.

Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah, who has drawn the ire of some conservatives over his support for a guest-worker program, didn't see much change in calls to his office, said a spokesman.

The protests and rallies have not persuaded any of Utah's delegation members to change their minds.

Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, "doesn't base votes on who may be making the most noise at a certain point in time, regardless of what side they're on," Bishop's chief of staff Scott Parker said.

Hatch's views have not changed either since the rallies, Carr says.

The senator is still searching for a proposal on immigration reform that he can support. He is against a blanket amnesty and prefers a guest worker program that requires those without documentation to return to their countries of origin and then apply for legal status in the United States. He still favors allowing children of undocumented immigrants who complete high school to pay instate tuition for college.

tburr@sltrib.com

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Tribune reporter Jennifer W. Sanchez contributed to this story.