But some Utah Latinos said they don't know if they can trust the leader of the United States.

"It was something I wanted to hear," said Manuel Montoya, a 29-year-old Kearns electrician. "But, because it's Bush, I'm hesitant to believe him."

Many Latinos said they were pleased Bush talked about the need for a temporary worker program with a pathway to U.S. citizenship. They also were glad the president praised the contributions of Latino immigrants.

Yet some Latinos said they don't think Bush's ideas to build "high-tech fences in urban corridors" and increase the number of law enforcement officers on the border will help stop the flow of illegal immigration. Others said if a temporary worker program becomes law, there will be no need for fences and extra security, because people will have the incentive to attain proper U.S. documentation.

At her cozy South Salt Lake house, Olivia Lazalde tuned into Bush's speech on a Spanish-language TV station. She and her 22-year-old nephew, Leonardo Lazalde, sat in silence at the kitchen table as they watched Bush on a small television on top of a china cabinet.

Afterward, Olivia Lazalde said Bush sounded like he is looking out for undocumented Latinos and showing his support for the Latino community. She was excited to hear his push for a temporary worker program because she thinks it will help put an end to human trafficking.

"I don't know if he's being serious or it's just propaganda," said Olivia Lazalde, a permanent U.S. resident of 10 years. "Hopefully, it's the truth."

Leonardo Lazalde, a cook who moved from Mexico to Utah two years ago, said about half of the 60 Latinos he works with at a restaurant are undocumented immigrants. He hopes the Congress supports Bush's ideas and passes immigration reform legislation as soon as possible.

"It will allow people to work without being scared," he said of a temporary worker program.

Montoya, who was born and raised in Utah, agreed.

"It means we can keep families together and workers will have rights," he said.

Montoya also said Bush's ideas about more border security and fences are to appease anti-undocumented-immigration groups and their supporters.

About 90,000 undocumented immigrants live in Utah.

A 29-year-old undocumented worker who moved from Mexico to Utah about seven years ago said he understands the United States' concern for better border security. But he doesn't believe fences and more law enforcement officers will keep undocumented immigrants from coming here. Undocumented workers and human smugglers will come up with more-creative ways to cross the border, he said.

"If they don't have work [at home], they are going to try any way to come here," he said.

Overall, Michael Clára, a spokesman for the Utah Hispanic/Latino Legislative Task Force, said he supports Bush's ideas and expects Congress will, too.

He said he is glad Bush highlighted undocumented soldiers who are fighting, and some dying, for the United States.

"We don't talk enough about contributions by Mexican nationals to this country," he said.

jsanchez@sltrib.com