Utah 287(g) Explosion — Zero to Eleven in One Year
The Pattern
Before the second Trump administration, zero Utah law enforcement agencies had 287(g) agreements. By late 2025, at least 11 had signed. This rivals South Carolina’s 3-to-37 explosion as the most dramatic state-level 287(g) transformation in the country.
Complete List of Signatories
| Agency | Type | Date Signed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington County Sheriff | Task Force | Mar 21, 2025 | Among earliest in state |
| Utah Dept. of Corrections | Warrant Service Officer | May 13, 2025 | Statewide; formalizes prior informal cooperation |
| Sanpete County Sheriff | Jail Enforcement | Jun 11, 2025 | |
| Beaver County Sheriff | Unknown | 2025 | |
| Kane County Sheriff | Unknown | 2025 | |
| Tooele County Sheriff | Task Force | 2025 | Also holds ICE detainees ($85/bed/day) |
| Utah County Sheriff | Task Force + WSO | Jul 16, 2025 | Approved over unanimous public opposition |
| Weber County Sheriff | Task Force | Jul 2, 2025 | Largest agency in state |
| Cache County Sheriff | Unknown | Aug 4, 2025 | |
| Wasatch County Sheriff | Warrant Service Officer | Aug 21, 2025 | ICE jail transfers tripled in 2025 |
The Task Force Model Risk
Four counties (Tooele, Utah, Washington, Weber) adopted the Task Force Model, which gives deputies the broadest immigration enforcement powers. This model was discontinued nationally in 2012 after a DOJ investigation found civil rights abuses and racial profiling in Arizona (Maricopa County/Arpaio). Trump revived it in January 2025.
Weber County is the largest agency in the state to sign the most aggressive model — making it the county to watch for civil rights incidents.
Utah County Fight
The Utah County Commission approved 287(g) unanimously on July 16, 2025, despite 3.5 hours of testimony in which every single commenter opposed the agreements. A 12-year-old named Adelaide Thiot testified about a classmate taken by ICE: “One day she was here laughing with us. The next day, she was just gone.”
Commissioner Amelia Powers Gardner disclosed personal family deportation experience but voted yes.
ICE Arrest Surge
- 4,164 ICE arrests in Utah in 2025 — nearly 4x the 2024 figure
- 55% had criminal convictions; 27% pending charges; 17% detained solely for immigration violations
- Wasatch County Jail: ICE transfers tripled (7 in H1 2024 to 53 in H1 2025)
- ICE visits Wasatch County jail weekly vs. “hardly ever” previously
Existing IGSA Jail Contracts
| County | Rate | Capacity | Avg Stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake County Metro Jail | $73.10/bed/day | Up to 10 | 2 days |
| Tooele County Detention | $85/bed/day | Case-by-case | 2 days |
| Washington County (Purgatory) | $82/bed/day | Undisclosed | 6 days |
These function as short-term holding during ICE transport — described as a “stopgap because there are no federal holding facilities in the state” (Tooele Sheriff Wimmer). The SLC mega-center would change this entirely.
Community Impact
Hispanic/Latino residents report fear affecting daily life. Quinceañeras and community events poorly attended. Statewide student walkouts (Jan 30, 2026). Thousands protested in SLC after Minneapolis ICE shootings (Jan 25-26).
Sources
- KUER: 7 Utah sheriff’s offices now have ICE agreements (Jul 30, 2025)
- SL Tribune: Which Utah agencies work with ICE (Sep 17, 2025)
- KUER: Utah Dept. of Corrections signs ICE agreement (May 14, 2025)
- KPCW: Wasatch County becomes 9th to sign (Aug 21, 2025)
- Deseret News: Weber County OKs accord (Jul 1, 2025)
- KUER: Utah County approves despite opposition (Jul 17, 2025)
- KUTV: ICE arrests more than double in 2025
- KUER: ICE arrests appear more targeted (Apr 1, 2026)
- Park Record: ICE transfers from Wasatch County tripled (Mar 27, 2026)
- KUER: No ICE detention center, but county jails hold detainees (Sep 16, 2025)