Utah Gov.’s latest plan will support Trump plan to deport undocumented immigrants

SALT LAKE CITY — On Tuesday, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox announced an effort to deport undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes. The efforts support President-elect Donald Trump’s plans for mass deportation of undocumented immigrants.

The governor’s office announced that the Utah Department of Public Safety and the Utah Department of Corrections will collaborate. 

“Utah will continue to welcome refugees and immigrants who enter the country lawfully, and we will continue pushing for reforms to the asylum process and for more visas to support our workforce needs,” said Gov. Cox. “We have zero tolerance, however, for those who demonstrate a threat to public safety while in the country illegally.

When it comes to immigration policy, the safety of Utah residents is my top priority.” 

The press release said the effort will have five main points: 

1. Identify additional ways to identify undocumented immigrants who have been arrested. The information will be used to turn them over to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
2. Increased training for law enforcement authorities to determine who should be sent to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
3. Collaborate with Utah’s Fentanyl Taskforce to charge undocumented immigrants who have been involved in fentanyl distribution in Utah.
4. Collaborate with the Utah legislature on policies related to criminal behavior carried out by undocumented immigrants.
5. Work with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to “reduce unreasonable federal regulations and detention standards that interfere with the ability to house criminal detainees.”

The cost of crimes

The Utah Department of Corrections said that undocumented immigrants account for 4.6% of Utah’s prison population. Cox’s office also said that costs related to their imprisonment reach nearly $16 million each year. 

The governor’s office said the majority of crimes committed by undocumented immigrants are sex offenses and murder. The press release also listed drug distribution as a common offense. 

“Federal immigration authorities have failed in their duty to the American people and they’ve left states and localities to independently manage the fallout,” said Cox. “We’re grateful to have an administration coming in who will take these problems seriously.”

Opponents react 

Following Cox’s announcement, Utah Senate Democratic Leader Luz Escamilla and House Democratic Leader Angela Romero released a joint statement. They expressed disagreement with the plan. 

“The Governor’s announcement raises serious concerns about equating immigration with criminality and scapegoating undocumented communities,” read the statement. “While we all want to hold criminals accountable and ensure public safety, this approach risks creating fear and misrepresenting undocumented individuals, many of whom contribute significantly to Utah’s economy, culture, and workforce.” 

The statement continued by saying that policymakers should work to build trust between immigrant communities and law. Escamilla and Romero argued that efforts should include steps to address the root causes of crime. 

Related: How a Utah shelter helped Venezuelan men settle in the US, and what it says about our immigration policy