Amidst discussions of border security and deportation in Utah, Governor Spencer Cox has articulated his support for President-elect Donald Trump's deportation plans for immigrants living in the U.S. illegally. In a press conference, Cox was cited by KSL stating, "If you commit a crime, we send you out," emphasizing his stance towards undocumented immigrants who commit crimes. Echoing Trump's agenda, Cox addressed the concerns of the Latino community, whom he claimed supported the deportations to improve safety and uphold the law.
At the conference, which occurred on Thursday, the governor doubled down on this commitment, as reported by Deseret News. He articulated his belief that state-level measures would benefit not just overall safety, but also the Latino community, suggesting that enforcing deportations could reinforce a sense of order and compliance with U.S. law, regardless of the complexities involved in the deportation process.
However, Cox also acknowledged the existing challenges, citing issues with the logistics of carrying out mass deportations. According to ABC4, he stated the improbability of large-scale deportations given the current state of ICE, admitting, "ICE is so broken ... there is no way right now that there will be any type of mass deportations. It’s impossible." Cox highlighted the agency's shortcomings, including their failure to deport even a hundred serious criminals, which has eroded local sheriffs' trust in the federal immigration enforcement agency.
In the face of logistical hurdles and ICE's perceived ineffectiveness, Cox suggested that reforms are necessary, "It is about law and order. And a country with open borders that can’t deport even those who are committing crimes, then we’re not much of a country at all," he stated, as obtained by ABC4. The Biden administration, he said, has left immigration enforcement wanting, a sentiment he linked to Utah sheriffs' frustrations with ICE's operations over the last four years, including alleged nonconsensual transportation of immigrants to Utah. ICE's response to these claims has been minimal, providing no substantial comment when reached out to by ABC4.
