ICE detaining immigrants on probation during court-ordered check-ins
Apr 2, 2025, 4:00 PM
FILE - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Baltimore Field Officer director Matt Elliston listens during a briefing, Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, in Silver Spring, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah immigration attorneys say U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are now detaining immigrants living in the country illegally on their way to meet with their probation officers.
Immigration and criminal defense attorney Adam Crayk said people on probation are required by the court to have monthly check-ins with their probation officers.
And now: “They’re getting a phone call that isn’t their normal date and they’re asked to show up to have a visit. And yes, there is an ICE agent waiting there to take them into custody.”
Crayk said this is putting people in a lose-lose situation.
“They’ve been ordered by a judge to complete their probation and they’re willing to do that, but now they know that if they show up there, they’re going to be taken into custody.”
This is now leading some people on probation to just disappear, which creates a whole new set of problems.
“So anybody that’s put on probation, the incentive is to not show up. The incentive is to kind of now just disappear.”
If they don’t show up, they could run into problems with their plea agreements.
And if someone is charged with a felony, Crayk said, they are obligated to work with the state’s probation program, so there’s no leeway.
“It’s so frustrating.”
Crayk said they are now asking judges to let their eligible clients work with private probation workers, since they aren’t incentivized to call ICE.
‘Obey all court orders’
The Utah Department of Corrections, which oversees the state’s Adult Probation and Parole program, said it still expects people to follow court orders, regardless of the risk of running into an ICE agent.
“We expect anyone under our supervision to obey all court orders and fulfill the obligations of their supervision,” UDC spokesperson Glen Mills said.
Mills said they’ve coordinated with ICE and other law enforcement agencies for years and that is not something they’re planning to change.
“It’s just part of our regular protocol. And we’re willing to share information with any law enforcement agency through the state. When law enforcement agencies work together, it’s more efficient in protecting our community,” Mills said.
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