How Utah’s Department of Corrections expects to enforce Gov. Cox’s deportation plans

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Department of Corrections is shedding more light on its role in Gov. Spencer Cox’s plan to deport undocumented immigrants who commit crimes or pose a threat to public safety.

“We’re going to work cooperatively with the new administration to improve things,” said Brian Redd, executive director of the Utah Department of Corrections.

Redd said he supports the Utah governor’s plans to work with the new Trump administration on the deportation effort, for convicted criminals and those who pose threats.

Redd said the DOC has already been working with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, but he seeks to streamline their efforts. Specifically, the process of identifying undocumented inmates and parolees to share that information with federal and state agencies, including the state’s Department of Public Safety.

According to DPS, more than half of all drug-related offenses detected along the Jordan River Trail this year were perpetrated by undocumented immigrants.

“We want to make sure that people coming into our custody are identified, if they are here illegally, and we are going to have cooperative information with Immigration and Customs Enforcement,” Redd said. “Another thing — we will continue to work cooperatively with our law enforcement partners in sharing information.”

Please read the complete story and more from Garna Mejia at KSLTV.com.