We must urge our state and courts to defend its citizens and immigrant communities from federal overreach. Through the actions of Deutsche Bank and the DHS, they have undermined a significant number of Salt Lake City residents and state representatives. They actively go against our interests to fulfill a quota, they do not provide transparent information, and they make deals behind our governor’s back. We cannot stand for this any longer.

Because of these actions, our community in Utah has been profoundly affected by the operations of ICE. The impact is not only emotional but is going to have effects on our local economy. Families are living in constant fear of sudden detentions and deportations, which devastate family units and traumatize our children.

The tactics employed by ICE signify an overreach of federal power that goes unchecked. These actions do not serve the best interests of our local community, which thrives on diversity, compassion, and mutual support. Workers contributing to various districts are targeted, negatively impacting productivity and economic sustainability in our state. Well, effecting the relationships we as citizens have with each other. 

According to findings by the Salt Lake Tribune, this will be “the largest federal facility of its kind in modern history.” The closest reference we have would be the Japanese internment camps and the detention centers for Cuban and Haitian immigrants in Guantanamo Bay.

ICE has not provided accurate economic information, but what we do know is that prisons like these do not add to the local economy. In fact, they do not have a significant impact on local government in terms of benefits. We do know one thing: the only projected number that is confirmed is the $1 million decrease in property value that Erin Mendenhall has disclosed, along with added strain on our local sewer systems.

All the DHS has to offer are the “jobs” these centers create. That is all a façade. Our government is supposed to give us opportunities to expand, to provide, and to contribute to our community. These supposed jobs lack the integrity, empathy, and, quite frankly, the compassion it takes to create a tolerant and accepting culture here in Utah.

We as people ask our state to look at the trail of corruption left behind in these centers'. We must look at Texas. We must look at reports of the treatment of children in these centers, as well as adults. This is not enforcing immigration; this is subjecting humans to abuse. History will repeat itself if we do not say no to ICE. If our state continues to allow federal overreach when it actively abuses local government and citizens’ individual rights, we as a people have a right to stand up and demand transparency and a right to demand justice.

To our representatives: with this petition, we hope you take a stance for the immigrant community in Utah so that we can continue to build trust, care, and integrity in our community.