Utah governor backs ICE mega-detention center amid local protests
Mar 19, 2026·Location: Salt Lake City, UT

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox endorsed a new ICE detention center purchased for $145.4 million in Salt Lake City, which could hold up to 7,500 detainees. Cox expressed concerns that state leaders and local officials were not notified of the facility's purchase. The warehouse purchase is part of a broader federal effort to establish regional detention "mega-facilities" across the country.
Sources
- Utah governor backs ICE mega-detention center but raises transparency concerns
deseret.com·Mar 20, 2026·archived copy
- ICE Detention Center could strain Utah’s Immigration Court, attorney says
ksltv.com·Mar 22, 2026·archived copy
- SBC Strain Review | Ice Cream Man from Tryke - Salt Baked City News
saltbakedcity.com·Jul 25, 2020·archived copy
- leafly.com
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