Their message: Just vote no on the bill now before Congress.

The group, many of whom also wielded posters and prodded motorists to honk their approval, criticized the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007 and argued that it essentially would grant amnesty to undocumented immigrants.

Larry Meyers, president of the conservative Utah Republican Assembly, said his group attended the St. George rally to ensure Utah's junior GOP senator knew their concerns.

"We want him to come out and announce that he is against the bill," Meyers said.

Emily Christensen, a spokeswoman with Bennett's Washington office, said her boss has yet to decide how he will vote.

"He will continue to review the bill and the number of new amendments that have been added before making a final decision," Christensen said.

But Bennett told The Salt Lake Tribune editorial board last week that the bill "was the right thing to do."

Even so, Jon Koski, who heads the Southern Utah Minuteman Civil Defense Corps, said his group is urging Bennett to oppose the measure.

"It's a horrible piece of paper," Koski said. "It gives amnesty to too many who come here illegally. They need to do it the proper way."

Delegates from four anti-immigration groups met with Bennett's representatives in the senator's St. George office to deliver a letter outlining their concerns with the bill.

The letter states that voting for the bill would violate Bennett's constitutional duty to defend the nation's borders and would allow millions of immigrants who are here illegally to remain indefinitely.

Although the bill does not have an amnesty provision, it would provide a path to legal status for an estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants.

"Whatever its supporters may call it, the bill gives a form of amnesty to illegal aliens," the letter states. "It does not require them to return to their home countries and go to the back of the line for visas."

Manny Aguilar, an activist in St. George, said he considers groups like those who gathered Wednesday racist because they do not target immigrants across the board but instead focus on Latinos.

"They consider all Latinos to be Mexican," he said, "even though many are from other countries."

Even so, Aguilar also opposes the legislation. He fears the bill favors some nationalities over others and balks at a provision that would give enforcement duties to police.

"If the police officers have authority to enforce immigration laws," he said, "then if there is a crime committed, someone here illegally won't report it out of fear of being deported."

mhavnes@sltrib.com