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THIRD IN A SERIES OF TWELVE Land of opportunity Immigrants operating a wide range of business ventures in Utah Last updated 11/10/1998, 12:01 a.m. MT By Gregory P. Kratz Deseret News business writer       Refugio Perez moved to the United States from his native Mexico when he was 16. After spending about five years in California, his job with a fire-door company brought him to Utah.       The move did not bring immediate prosperity: He lost part of a finger in a work accident.       But he used the $7,000 compensation he received to start a part-time business, selling clothes, shoes and some grocery items door-to-door in Salt Lake City and in Nevada and Idaho.       After Perez was laid off from his job, he decided to make sales his full-time business.       Now, after 19 years in Utah, Perez is a U.S. citizen and owner of two Marisa's Fashions stores, at 67 W. 1700 South and 114 E. 900 South. Refugio Perez used $7,000 compensation from an injury to begin a part-time business, which has grown to full time.. Photo by Don Grayston, Deseret News       Perez, 40, has found success as an immigrant in Utah's economy, and he said he is not alone.       "When I came here, it was really hard to see Hispanic people," Perez said. "Right now, there are thousands and thousands of them. When I came, there were only two little Mexican stores. Now there are so many stores and so many restaurants. . . .       "From all over the world, it doesn't matter who comes here to Utah, it's good for the economy. . . . I can see that having all these people, it helps the state."       Immigrants in Utah already have made inroads in the professions, as doctors, lawyers, teachers, scientists, artists. Now they are carving niches in business.       Some have been here long enough to be an entrenched part of the work force. Others are beginning to feel their way into business ownership.       What they all have in common, Perez said, is a desire to capitalize on America's opportunities. Strength in numbers       Leticia Medina, director of Utah's Office of Hispanic Affairs, said Hispanic people are the most prevalent foreign-born population in Utah, and their numbers are growing fast.       As they grow, she said, they also help boost Utah's economy.       One of the first needs for immigrants is transportation, and several Hispanic people own used-car dealerships and auto shops. Some businesses, like those owned by Perez, import products from the home countries, and others cater to those without credit. Hispanics also own restaurants and work in small manufacturing.       "We offer such a picture of prosperity, and everybody wants that dream,"       Medina said. "But when you get here, a lot of dues need to be paid to get that freedom."       Some immigrants lack education, and that keeps them in low-end jobs, Medina said. But others leave behind excellent careers to struggle for success in the United States.       "I've met doctors and CEOs from other countries who are cleaning hotels here just because of the language barrier," she said. "They're very hard-working, very committed. Regardless of the job they're doing, they do it well." Seeking opportunity       Dr. Hector Mendiola moved from Mexico to Logan in 1993. Born in Mexico City in 1931, Mendiola worked as a pediatrician, researcher and educator before coming to the United States.       He knew about Utah because a daughter moved here 15 years ago. He wanted to retire to Logan and continue his research into education programs to help teen mothers. But he knew his credentials would not be recognized here.       "I have been reading English books for 40 years, and I'm a philosopher, so I was not used to feeling like I couldn't do something," Mendiola said. "I knew Logan, so I knew what would be the challenges I would have to face. But what has been amazing for me is the kind of human quality that the people here have. Thanks to that goodwill, the fact that I have no credentials has not meant any frustration."       In fact, Mendiola, who has applied for U.S. citizenship, decided to use his time and skills to help other immigrants by teaching "English as a Second Language" classes.       He has been instructing groups of workers at Deseret Industries in Logan, he said, and has students from Somalia, Spain, El Salvador, Afghanistan, the Dominican Republic, Mexico and several other countries.       Mendiola said he thinks the classes have strengthened the work environment at DI.       "It's wonderful, the experience we have had for two years over there," Mendiola said. "During that time, many of those workers who are hired there, after a few months, they feel more confident and speak better English, and learn a few skills of writing, and they are helped to find better jobs. I think we are proud of this." Starting at the bottom       Bill P. Afeaki, director of the state's Office of Polynesian Affairs, said the story is much the same for immigrants from Polynesian nations.       Pacific Islanders in Utah now have a broad range of business ventures. Several own stores and freight companies. There are a number of restaurants celebrating the homeland and culinary arts. Probably the largest Pacific Islander-owned business is Eola, a cosmetic company in St. George.       But Afeaki said many of these immigrants start in low-end jobs, particularly in landscaping and factory work.       "The kind of jobs that they take are necessary jobs," he said. "Even though they are the lower-paying-scale jobs, they are still necessary services."       Some of those jobs are in agriculture. C. Booth Wallentine, executive vice president and chief administrative officer for the Utah Farm Bureau Federation, said Hispanic workers are vital to Utah's tree fruit and small canning crops industries.       "We produce a lot of sweet cherries, and they are all hand-harvested, so there is a real need there," Wallentine said. "All apples, peaches, apricots and pears need to be hand-picked, and we have added about 250,000 apple trees in the last two to five years in Utah. . . .       "Migrant labor is very, very important, and that's a very serious problem, because the supply of migrant labor is dwindling rapidly."       Wallentine said 7,000 to 10,000 migrant workers came to Utah to help with agriculture 20 years ago. He would estimate those numbers now are closer to 2,500.       "I expect the need to continue to be there," he said. "We make every possible attempt to hire local workers, but they just aren't there. People who are foreign-born generally have been willing to work in the fields and orchards." Moving up       Moon Ji, director of the state's Office of Asian Affairs, said immigrants to Utah often have faced difficult work, dating back to the 1860s when Chinese laborers worked on the railroad.       Asian immigrants can claim one of the most interesting business histories. Some of those Chinese laborers and settlers stayed and opened laundries. When they returned home, Japanese people who were arriving took over.       History repeated itself when immigrants started arriving from Vietnam, as many Vietnamese now own laundries, dry cleaners and restaurants.       Asian immigrants — mostly Korean — also are the force keeping the neighborhood grocery store alive. And Chinese, Korean and Indian people own about 20 local motels.       "When you go to some of the main hotels, you will see those who came as immigrants who have language difficulties, and they are working so hard," Ji said.       Richard Velez, president of the Utah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, said such immigrant-owned businesses are growing more common along the Wasatch Front.       "We're a people that were driven by our needs, because we want to develop. We want to be a part of what this country is about," Velez said. "You drive yourself to be better than the next guy."       Medina of the Office of Hispanic Affairs agreed.       "As the economy grows, as the population grows, Hispanic businesses will play a big part in that, and so will other cultures," she said. "Money doesn't have (many) colors. It's only one, that's the green, and that's what everybody wants."       Fasi M. Filiaga said skin color did not keep him from chasing his goals.       Born in 1933 in Western Samoa, his family moved to American Samoa when he was 12. He came to the United States in 1957, and he met his wife in Germany while serving in the Army.       After his family moved to Utah in 1980, Filiaga ran a gas station in Ogden for a few years. He grew bored after retiring, so he decided last year to run for Ogden City Council. He was elected in November.       Filiaga said he does not think he faced any unique struggles because of his Samoan heritage. But he does understand what it takes to succeed in the United States.       "Minorities in the Ogden area, they have to get up and do what needs to be done . . . ," Filiaga said. "It's not what your race is, it's what you are. That's very important for the progress of anybody who comes here to the United States." Deseret New staff writer Lois Collins contributed to this story.