People in Utah’s Latino immigrant communities reacted with anger, disappointment and measured support to Gov. Spencer Cox’s declaration of approval for President-elect Donald Trump’s plans to deport undocumented immigrants who commit crimes.
“When it comes to immigration policy, the safety of Utah residents is my top priority,” said Cox in a statement Tuesday. “We have zero tolerance, however, for those who demonstrate a threat to public safety while in the country illegally.”
In response, the nonprofit Comunidades Unidas, which advocates for Latino and Latina immigrants — including undocumented ones — said Tuesday on its social platforms that it was “deeply disappointed and outraged” by Cox’s announcement.
“We believe in the liberation of all immigrants, and, therefore, we will not criminalize any member of our community,” Comunidades Unidas wrote in its statement. “We will not trade the freedom of some members of our community for that of others.”
According to the immigrant rights group, Cox’s language and approach criminalize, generalize and “perpetuate harmful stereotypes that erode trust between our communities and local leadership.”
“Governor Cox’s statements threaten to further marginalize and dehumanize the broader immigrant community,” the group said,” which is both unacceptable and inhumane.”
Since the November 2023 launch of Comunidades Unidas’ “Salt Lake County Immigrant People’s Agenda,” the organization has aimed to address issues affecting Utah’s immigrant and undocumented communities — including workplace abuse and state agency collaboration with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The nonprofit’s leaders, the statement continues, suggested Cox and the state invest in “community-building initiatives that strengthen Utah.”
“For too long, immigrants have been used as scapegoats for political gain,” the statement said. “This approach does not foster safety or unity – it instills fear and division.”
“We will continue to fight and defend the human rights of our community,” read the statement, making an appeal for allies to support the nonprofit in “organizing solutions.”
“We believe that no human being is illegal,” said Comunidades Unidas. “Everyone deserves to live without fear.”
Others in the Latino community expressed some support for Cox’s plan, but urged policymakers to recognize that only a small percentage of undocumented immigrants commit violent crimes.
“I don’t believe in a mass deportation,” said Brandy Farmer, who has advocated for immigration rights and reform in Utah for 15 years. “However, I do support deportation of criminals.” (Farmer is on the board of Comunidades Unidas, but stressed she was speaking only for herself.)
Farmer cited the 2021 killing of Utah radio host Gabriela Sifuentes Castilla, known by her on-air name, Gaby Ramos. The man accused in her death, Manuel Burciaga-Perea, fled to Mexico, where he is a citizen, but was extradited to Utah in May 2023. He pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder and three other felony charges in September; a trial date has not been set.
“I wanted him punished here in the United States,” Farmer said.
Jose “Chelin” Guevara, director of the nonprofit Capitan Zarigüeya, which works to educate migrants and refugees, said in a statement, “It is essential to condemn migrants involved in serious crimes. However, the fight against crime should not extend to the generalization of immigration status, since this could reinforce negative stereotypes for those who comply with the law.”
Antonio Valbuena, director of the Bridges21 initiative, a nonprofit that promotes community engagement, said in a statement that, “as a migrant, we understand that there are actions that governments must take to maintain orderly and planned growth. … However, the heat of the discourse can fuel xenophobia and fear in legal migration, creating a hostile environment without distinction of legal status.”
Frengy Alvarado, CEO and writer for the Spanish-language website Panas en Utah, said in a statement that his organization supports “any initiative aimed at protecting Utah residents, as long as it is carried out with transparency and respect for human rights.” Alvarado added that Cox’s willingness to discuss increased workforce visas and reforms to the asylum process was “encouraging.”
Jorge Fierro, founder of the prominent Utah-based Rico Brand foods, said that while generally supportive of Cox’s plans, he is concerned Utah’s immigrant community will face “backlash.”
“Don’t perturb those families who, for whatever reason, decided to come to this country seeking and looking for a better life.” Fierro said. “Let’s make sure [Utah] doesn’t pinpoint every single immigrant as a criminal.”
Cox’s language, Fierro said, should be “clear” that the state will only target undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes.
“Concentrate on the [criminal] population only, nobody else,” said Fierro, who is on The Salt Lake Tribune’s board of directors. “I hope that the governor can be assertive enough to get the job done without affecting people who really don’t have anything to do with crime whatsoever.”
Fourteen employees at Rico, or roughly half the staff, are immigrants, Fierro said. As a small business owner, he said he is concerned Cox’s deportation efforts could be more “severe,” and deport those who have not committed crimes.
“We need people who come into this country and work hard and respect the laws,” Fierro said. “I’m just a little concerned, as a citizen, that some human rights may be violated along the way.”
Fierro, who immigrated to Utah in 1985 from Chihuahua, Mexico, became a U.S. citizen through marriage. Yet, Fierro said he will always see himself “as an immigrant,” and believes those who have been “a part of the success of America” should be given pathways to lawful residency.
“Utah has always been a state that has been more humanist [in] the way they deal with undocumented immigration,” Fierro said. “I hope that’s how the governor goes about the project that [Trump’s] administration has in the works.”
Mayra Molina, executive director of the Venezuelan Alliance of Utah, said those in her community have also expressed concern. The Latino-focused nonprofit, since hearing about Cox’s “surprising” announcement, has taken to asking their community to “be alert,” Molina said.
Cox’s news release mentioned Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang with ties throughout Latin America and the United States, for allegedly contributing to increases in drug distribution and violent crimes. While Molina said she sees Cox’s intentions to “keep Utah safe,” she said she is concerned police and other authorities may detain people “just because they look Latino.”
“To see this group of criminals do bad stuff, [it] affects all of us,” Molina said.
Molina, who pointed to the immigrant population’s contributions to the economy, said Utah should reconsider how they implement their deportation plans and “respect the rights” of undocumented people and immigrants.
“Not all of us are bad people,” Molina said. “Being in America is a privilege … that only a few of us can accomplish. We need to be proud of that and support the laws of this country.”
