Utah Governor Spencer Cox has announced a new initiative to support the incoming Trump administration’s plans for increased deportations of undocumented immigrants. On Tuesday, Cox outlined priorities aimed at identifying, detaining, and deporting individuals in Utah who have committed crimes.
Immigration was a significant theme during Donald Trump’s campaign, and his administration is expected to implement several policies, including the use of National Guard troops for deportations and the expansion of detention facilities. Other potential measures include reinstating the “remain in Mexico” policy for asylum seekers and reducing humanitarian parole and visa programs, as reported by CNN.
Cox expressed his commitment to assisting the federal government in these efforts, stating, “We’re grateful to have an administration coming in who will take these problems seriously.” His office emphasized several key priorities:
Identify undocumented immigrants within the criminal justice system.
Train local authorities to better identify and report undocumented individuals who have committed crimes to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Collaborate with the state’s fentanyl task force to find long-term solutions for undocumented immigrants involved in drug trafficking.
Work with the Utah Legislature on policies addressing criminal behavior among undocumented immigrants.
Coordinate with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to identify undocumented migrants in the criminal justice system and improve detention standards.
Cox clarified that while Utah will continue to welcome refugees and legal immigrants, there is “zero tolerance” for those who pose a threat to public safety while in the country illegally. He criticized federal immigration authorities for failing to manage immigration effectively, leaving states like Utah to deal with the consequences.
The governor’s announcement faced immediate backlash from top Democrats in the Utah Legislature. Senate Minority Leader Luz Escamilla and House Minority Leader Angela Romero accused Cox of unfairly linking immigration with crime. They argued that this approach could foster fear within immigrant communities and misrepresent many undocumented individuals who contribute positively to Utah’s economy and culture. They called for policies that build trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities.
The nonprofit Comunidades Unidas echoed these concerns, stating that Cox’s rhetoric could further marginalize immigrant communities. They emphasized that deportation does not necessarily lead to safer communities and can instead undermine them.
Cox has previously advocated for admitting Afghan and Ukrainian migrants fleeing conflict while pushing for more visas to facilitate legal immigration. In recent months, he has criticized the Biden administration’s handling of border security and linked increased immigration to rising fentanyl distribution in Utah.
The new task force aimed at combating fentanyl distribution will now also focus on deporting undocumented criminals, including members of a Venezuelan gang known as Tren de Aragua, which has been linked to violent crimes in Utah.
Following Cox’s announcement, House Majority Whip Karianne Lisonbee indicated that immigration-focused legislation would be introduced in the upcoming legislative session. She mentioned plans to a
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