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South Valley Riverton Journal

Mayor vows to work with agencies to deport ‘illegal immigrants who commit crimes’

Feb 03, 2025 01:52PM ● By Travis Barton

Mayor Trent Staggs addressed illegal immigrant crime in early January in an official statement on how the city intends to address the situation. (File photo City Journals)

Mayor Trent Staggs addressed illegal immigrant crime in early January in an official statement on how the city intends to address the situation. 

“Communities in Utah are beginning to see an increase in major crime, including Riverton City. A significant portion of the increase appears to be coming from gangs, some of which are transnational or here illegally and who prey upon vulnerable populations among us,” he said. “My message is clear: if you commit a crime, we are coming for you. And, if you are here illegally, we will not only prosecute you but work with federal agencies and do all we can to have you deported.” 

He added in the statement, and in ensuing comments at the Jan. 7 council meeting, that Riverton “would not be a shield or sanctuary city like some of these others across the country.” 

Sanctuary cities were municipalities who, early in President Donald Trump’s first term, limited cooperation in enforcing federal immigration laws. 

State leaders have announced their intention to support Trump and his administration’s immigration policy. Gov. Spencer Cox has signed a letter making several requests of the administration including more funding for jail beds and transportation, the suspension of “unreasonable detention standards,” and the immediate removal of Michael Bernacke from the ICE Salt Lake City Field Office.

Staggs released a statement expressing support to incoming administration “to ensure those here illegally and who commit crimes will be deported. The Riverton Police Department has ample resources to deploy with committed partners, including the Immigration and Customs Enforcement federal agency and other local partners, to combat this major crime increase.”

The mayor repeatedly referenced enforcing, respecting and upholding the law during his council meeting comments. 

“We’re going to cooperate with federal agencies,” he said, which include the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, also known as ICE. 

Gina Crezee, the executive director of the nonprofit Immigrant Legal Services in Millcreek said for some immigrants there is “nothing for them here but to have a better life than what they had in their country.” She highlighted clients of hers from an Asian country who owned a business company they gave up to come to America.

“Undocumented folks came to the door of America, through the airport, the border across Canada or walked through the river and they all came here with the hopes of having a better life,” she said. “I do not call them illegal. They are just doing exactly what our grandparents did.”

In his statement Staggs stressed the situation goes beyond political partisanship. 

“Riverton residents deserve to feel safe, and our children deserve a future free from fear. Individuals committing crimes need to face consequences, otherwise the rule of law protecting our society will be to no avail.”λ