UTAH

As immigration enforcement action rises, Utah will focus on ‘anybody with criminal activity’

Jan 28, 2025, 3:51 PM

The photo from Sunday shows an immigration enforcement action involving Immigration and Customs Enf...

The photo from Sunday shows an immigration enforcement action involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials and other federal agents in the Houston, Texas, area. Utah officials said their immigration enforcement efforts will be focused on "anybody with criminal activity."(Immigrations and Customs Enforcement)

(Immigrations and Customs Enforcement)

SALT LAKE CITY — As federal authorities step up efforts in Chicago and other locales to apprehend immigrants in the United States illegally, a Utah Department of Public Safety official says that agency’s role in any initiative here would focus on suspected criminals.

The agency’s focus in cooperating with federal authorities, as outlined by Gov. Spencer Cox late last November, is “on anybody with criminal activity,” said Hillary Koellner, the department spokeswoman. If State Bureau of Investigations officials, for instance, detain alleged drug dealers “distributing high amounts of drugs” and subsequently learn they’re here illegally, she said, “we’re obviously going to contact (Immigrations and Customs Enforcement), but first we’re going to arrest them just like any other person.”

Utah Highway Patrol troopers, she went on, won’t be carrying out checks to determine the migratory status of people. Likewise, Utah law enforcement officials, she said, aren’t authorized to make arrests for federal immigration offenses. “They would have to be arrested for something else, whether they have an arrest warrant or they committed a crime that would require us arresting them,” she said.

At any rate, as federal immigration officials have boosted efforts to detain immigrants in the country illegally in line with President Donald Trump’s focus on the issue, some in Utah’s immigrant community are reacting via social media with consternation.

Trump, who took office on Jan. 20, has vowed to deport immigrants here illegally, with a focus on those with criminal backgrounds. An Immigration and Customs Enforcement rep didn’t respond to a query Monday seeking information on ICE activity in Utah. But any alarm, rumors and reports notwithstanding, there doesn’t appear to be widespread enforcement action in the state.

Comunidades Unidas, a West Valley City-based immigrant advocacy group, “has heard many reports of ICE agents around the county but no confirmed raid thus far, and all of the sightings that have been reported have not been confirmed yet,” said Cynthia Ponce-Orellana. She’s an organizer with the organization.

Koellner offered cautionary words amid uncorroborated reports of actions around Utah allegedly involving immigration officials. “Definitely there’s a lot of misinformation that we’re seeing,” she said. “Make sure you’re verifying who your sources are and (know) that our police forces, they’re after people who are a harm to public safety.”

A handful of social media posters have reported incidents in Salt Lake County allegedly involving federal immigration officials. A website posting information on “verified sightings” lists around 10 alleged encounters, most in Salt Lake County. Some contain photos or videos, including two with people wearing garb reading “Police ICE.”

The situation has drawn the attention of Native American leaders in and around Utah. The Ute Indian Tribe issued a notice on Saturday advising tribal members to carry identification in the event they’re confronted by ICE agents and to stay calm, among other things.

“The Ute Indian Tribe Business Committee is issuing this notice in response to concerns about potential interactions with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. It is our priority to ensure the safety of all our members. We will aggressively defend our rights and interests,” reads the notice. Ute officials didn’t respond to queries seeking additional info.

Likewise, leaders from the Navajo Nation, which crosses into Utah, New Mexico and Arizona where the states meet, issued statements late last week referencing reports of alleged encounters involving ICE officials and Navajo citizens. Like the Ute officials, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren advised tribal members to carry identity cards. “Having your state ID is crucial, and if you possess a CIB (Certificate of Indian Blood), it can provide an additional layer of reassurance,” he said in a statement.

At least as of last Friday, though, there had been no confirmed cases of encounters between Navajo citizens and immigration officials, said George Hardeen, Nygren’s spokesman. Likewise, the website of Operation Rainbow Bridge, tasked with responding to queries from Navajo Nation citizens on the issue, said it hadn’t substantiated any reports of incidents.

The ICE X account and newsroom are among the few government sources with information about U.S. efforts to crack down on immigrants in the country illegally. An X post Sunday said 956 people had been arrested that day as part of ICE efforts around the country and that immigration officials asked local law enforcement agencies to temporarily hold another 554 suspected immigrants here illegally. The varied posts and ICE press releases referenced action in Chicago, Denver, San Francisco, Houston, New York City and Buffalo, New York.

“Targeted enforcement operations are planned arrests of known criminal aliens who threaten national security or public safety,” reads an ICE post from last Friday.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Utah

four-day school week...

Becky Bruce

Utah public school enrollment declines slightly statewide

Utah public school enrollment dropped about a half percent from 2021 to 2024 statewide, though some districts saw much larger gains and losses.

1 hour ago

A sign welcoming people to the city of Ogden on 25th Street....

Verl Johansen

Ogden housing among 41 metro areas with inventory levels at or above pre-pandemic levels

Ogden housing availability makes the area one of 41 metro areas with supply at or above pre-pandemic levels.

2 hours ago

An electric shuttle at the Temple of Sinawava at Zion National Park. Zion National Park shuttles be...

Mariah Maynes

Zion National Park shuttles begin 2025 seasonal service in March

Zion National Park shuttles will begin regular operation on March 2, 2025.

3 hours ago

A FrontRunner train passes under a new pedestrian bridge at 300 North and 490 West, that crosses tw...

Shara Park, KSL TV

New video shows FrontRunner hit SUV stopped on tracks in Layton

A newly released video captured the moment an SUV was hit by a UTA FrontRunner train in Layton on February 4.

4 hours ago

A West Haven house fire killed one person on Feb. 11...

Mariah Maynes and Brian Carlson, KSL TV

West Haven house fire kills 1 person

One person is dead following a house fire in West Haven, Utah.

14 hours ago

Migrating swans fly in a Utah waterfowl management area. (Utah Division of Wildlife Resources)...

Mariah Maynes

Migrating swans will soon soar through Utah, here are 3 places you can see them

As warmer weather approaches, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources recommends three areas to view migrating swans.

16 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Full speed through the snow. A man on skis is pulled by his through the snow at full gallop Skijori...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get ready for an unforgettable skijoring adventure in Bear Lake!

“Skijoring the Bear” takes place this year on February 21-22 in Garden City, Utah.

the bedroom in a geodesic dome shows the night sky...

Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon

Your front row to an extraordinary cosmos show

As America's first glass dome stargazing resort, Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon is one of the world’s most unique and spectacular places to stay.

2 people huddled up in a blanket and warm clothes sipping hot chocolate...

Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

The best ways to spend your Christmas vacation in Bear Lake

If you're dreaming of a white Christmas this year, Bear Lake should definitely be on your radar. Read this guide for more!

big crowd of people under holiday lights in an outdoor market...

Western Nut

Our favorite family Christmas activities in Utah

We gathered up a list of our favorite activities, movies, and treats to try this holiday season that the whole family can enjoy.

an IT tech looks at a laptop in front of a server network...

Comcast Business

Tips to protect yourself from phishing attacks

Check out this resource from Comcast Business to learn more about phishing attacks and how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of one.

A surprise gift, wrapped and ready to bring holiday cheer! Whether for Christmas, a birthday, or an...

Western Nut

10 Holiday Gift Ideas to cover everyone on your list

This guide is for you if you need holiday gift ideas that will make a lasting impression. 

As immigration enforcement action rises, Utah will focus on ‘anybody with criminal activity’