Gov. Spencer Cox of Utah confirmed on Thursday that the state would support President-elect Donald Trump’s plan to deport undocumented immigrants. During a monthly news conference, Cox said the focus would be on immigrants who commit crimes.
He explained that while being undocumented is itself a crime, the state would prioritize those in jail or actively breaking other laws. “We need to secure the border, and President Trump will lead that effort,” Cox said. “Then, we can start deporting criminals.”
Cox also mentioned that although Trump has suggested using the National Guard for large-scale deportations, no local discussions have taken place about that. He pointed out that ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) is not currently capable of carrying out mass deportations, noting, “It’s not logistically possible right now.”
Cox added that ICE has been sending undocumented immigrants to Utah for years, but the Biden administration has not taken action on this issue. He emphasized that his stance on immigration hasn’t changed and has been consistent for over 15 years, stating, “We care about those who come here legally and want to fix legal immigration.”