Members of Black Caucus and Latino Caucus visited the College Republicans meeting last night and accused the group of racism and insensitivity because of the club's proposed "Catch an Illegal Immigrant" game.

More than 60 people, some standing in the Sackett Building classroom, attended the meeting, which frequently descended into shouting matches.

College Republicans denied the accusations, saying the game was designed to raise awareness about illegal immigration.

Dane Peterson, College Republicans treasurer, began the meeting by describing the event, which is still in its planning stages. Peterson said students will be able to approach students wearing orange T-shirts with the words "illegal immigrant" to receive information about illegal immigration. The "Illegal Immigration Awareness Day" will conclude with a forum, he said.

After Peterson finished his description, College Republicans chairman Seth Bender asked if there was any discussion.

Darryl Watson, Black Caucus spokesman, responded, "Yeah, what the f---?"

After Bender asked that Watson raise his hand, Watson did so and repeated his question.

Joanna Moore, Latino Caucus community service chairwoman, said the event was scheduled for Mar. 16 but was postponed after Latino Caucus objected to it.

"Illegal immigration is not a game," she said. "Our plan was not to compromise with them to create a less offensive program."

Vicky Cangelosi, former College Republicans chairwoman, said in an interview before the meeting that the event changed after discussions with the Latino Caucus.

"One of the original plans was if you find one of these illegal immigrants, bring them to the HUB and you'll get a gift certificate or something," she said.

Cangelosi said the event was important to promote interest.

"If we just hold a forum, we don't think people would be aware enough of the issue," she said.

But Watson said the game made a mockery of the issue.

"This is nothing but blatant xenophobia and racism," he said.

Watson said Black Caucus would support any organization that wants to protest. and the College Republicans a history of racism.

In fall 2003, former College Republicans chairman Brian Battaglia posted pictures on his Web site from a Halloween party which included a white

man in blackface depicting former Undergraduate Student Government Vice President Takkeem Morgan and a member of the Klu Klux Klan.

College Republicans member A.J. Fluehr said there are legitimate reasons to oppose illegal immigration.

"Coming in here and saying 'you're racist' is a personal insult to everyone in this room," he said.

Watson responded, "Then stop being a racist."

Moore said an entire club should not be labeled racist.

"I think that Black Caucus would object to being called militant, the same way [College Republicans] object to being called racist," she said.

Melissa Landrau-Rodriguez, director of the college assistance migrant program, a division of the university's educational equity department, said the game trivialized the issue. She said she sometimes holds trivia games but never a "let's catch the little whitey Republican" game.

Latino Caucus and College Republican leaders met later in the HUB-Robeson Center. Cangelosi said the two groups had come up with an event that was "very different" from the original game. She said both groups would present the new proposal at their next meetings.

Raquel Jones, Latino Caucus vice president, said the group would only support a "strictly educational game."