Utah Governor Will Support Trump in Deporting Criminal Illegal Immigrants

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox speaks in Salt Lake City on Aug. 10, 2023. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

Utah’s governor will support the incoming Trump administration’s policy of deporting criminal illegal immigrants from the state, he announced Nov. 26.

Gov. Spencer Cox announced that the state effort, guided by five priorities, will support the president-elect in deporting illegal immigrants who have committed crimes and pose a public safety threat.

“When it comes to immigration policy, the safety of Utah residents is my top priority,” said Cox in a press release. “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. We have zero tolerance, however, for those who demonstrate a threat to public safety while in the country illegally.”

The Republican governor said his state has been challenged by illegal immigration and is looking forward to federal policy changes.

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

According to the governor’s office, illegal immigration has led to public safety threats and a substantial cost to Utah taxpayers.

Illegal immigrants make up about 4.6 percent of the state’s prison population, costing the state nearly $16 million per year, Cox’s statement said, adding that the majority of crimes committed by illegal immigrants who are in prison are sex offenses and murder.

The Utah Department of Public Safety has also seen an increase in drug distribution, the statement said, and the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua was identified in the state this past spring.

“Criminal organizations like the Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels need to be held accountable for drug and human trafficking, including facilitating the return of previously deported felons,” said Utah’s Commissioner of Public Safety Jess Anderson in a press release. “We anticipate that with increased border enforcement, we can take strong action on these aggravated reentries, where deported felons return to commit additional crimes.”

The five priorities in Cox’s plan include identifying additional intercept points in the criminal justice system where suspects can be identified as illegal immigrants, and training local and state authorities in identifying criminal illegal immigrants who should be turned over to federal authorities for deportation.

The plan also includes working with the Utah Legislature on policies related to criminal illegal immigrants, working with the state’s Fentanyl Task Force on long-term solutions, and working with the Department of Homeland Security to identify inmates who are illegal immigrants.

Since Trump’s win, the Democratic governors of New Jersey, California, New York, Massachusetts, and Illinois indicated they would try to counter policies initiated by Trump, including mass deportations of illegal immigrants.

Several Democratic mayors also said they will fight the deportations, including Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, who said he’s willing to go to jail over resisting Trump’s efforts.

Democratic state lawmakers and some organizations called Cox’s stand a bad move for the Beehive State.

Utah Senate Democratic Leader Luz Escamilla and House Democratic Leader Angela Romero issued a joint statement opposing the governor’s policy.

“The governor’s announcement raises serious concerns about equating immigration with criminality and scapegoating undocumented communities,” the lawmakers said. “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.”

Romero and Escamilla said a distinction must be made between criminals and those who are solely seeking a better life for themselves and for their families.

The lawmakers called for policies that would build trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities. That will lead to victims and witnesses feeling safe coming forward, they said.

“A focus solely on enforcement overlooks the need for comprehensive solutions that protect public safety while respecting the rights and dignity of all Utahns. This includes humane comprehensive immigration policies and processes and addressing the root causes of crime—such as poverty, addiction, and mental health challenges—without unfairly targeting entire communities,” Romero and Escamilla said.

Some organizations that assist illegal immigrants said Cox’s announcement will cause more fear in immigrant communities.

Aden Batar, director of Migration and Refugee Services for Catholic Community Services of Utah in Salt Lake City, told The Epoch Times in a phone interview that he appreciated all the support Cox has given, but said the “announcement today, supporting President-elect Trump in deporting undocumented immigrants, that is, not to me, in the best interest for our community.”

“We need to be very careful and leave the immigration enforcement to the federal authorities. They are well-equipped to handle that,” Batar said.

Batar said people are already fearful after hearing of Trump’s plans for mass deportation, and when local leaders refer to deportation it will lead to more fear.

He said many immigrants are law-abiding and many businesses depend on them as workers, adding that Utah has been great at welcoming people from all parts of the world, and that needs to continue.

“Catholic Communities Services—we always stand with people who are in need, whether they are refugees or migrants, and we are happy to provide whatever services they need ... regardless of their immigration status or their background,” Batar said.