Federal Immigration Agents Increase Presence at Utah Courthouses

Increased ICE activity prompts criticism from public defenders and sheriff's office

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Federal immigration agents have increased their presence and enforcement actions at courthouses in Salt Lake County, Utah since mid-February, according to public defenders and local officials. The increased ICE activity has prompted concerns that it is disrupting court proceedings and deterring immigrants from seeking legal resolutions, as well as complaints about the agents' tactics and lack of identification.

Why it matters

The increased ICE presence at courthouses is part of the Trump administration's broader crackdown on illegal immigration. Critics argue this practice undermines the justice system by discouraging immigrants from participating, and raises concerns about due process and public safety if agents do not properly identify themselves or coordinate with court security.

The details

According to public defenders, ICE agents have been regularly present at the Matheson Courthouse in Salt Lake City, either sitting in courtrooms or lurking in hallways. The agents typically wear plain clothes and do not identify themselves, even to court bailiffs. In one incident, a bailiff thought an agent was assaulting someone before realizing it was an ICE detention. The Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office has received multiple complaints about the agents' activities and says the process of taking immigrants into custody should be done discreetly with lawyers present, not in public view.

  • Since mid-February 2026, ICE presence has increased at Salt Lake County courthouses.
  • On February 12 or 13, 2026, ICE agents arrested one of public defender Lacey Singleton's clients, prompting increased complaints about their activities.

The players

Lacey Singleton

A public defender who regularly works at the Matheson Courthouse and has observed the increased ICE presence and tactics.

Rosie Rivera

The Salt Lake County Sheriff, who has received multiple complaints about ICE agents' activities at local courthouses and says their tactics are disruptive.

Anna Reganis

A public defender with the Salt Lake Legal Defender Association who witnessed the aftermath of an ICE detention at the Salt Lake City Justice Court.

Liz Maryon

Helps oversee the Salt Lake City Bail Fund's efforts to train volunteers to monitor ICE activity at the Matheson Courthouse.

United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency that has increased its enforcement presence and actions at Utah courthouses.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Now it is like they are there all the time … They just basically hang out, and they're either sitting in the courtroom, or they're lurking in the hallways.”

— Lacey Singleton, Public defender (newspub.live)

“We are addressing that issue, but I want you to understand, these deputies are put in a really tough situation, and in this situation, I understand how he could get to that point where he had no idea who they were, and he was trying to make sure that somebody wasn't being assaulted at the time.”

— Rosie Rivera, Salt Lake County Sheriff (newspub.live)

“Myself and my co-workers all had a bit of a wake-up call because we kept telling ourselves that this wasn't going to happen at the justice court because all of our cases are class B and C misdemeanors and infractions.”

— Anna Reganis, Public defender (newspub.live)

What’s next

The Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office says it is addressing the issues raised by ICE agents' activities at local courthouses, and the Salt Lake City Bail Fund is working to expand its capacity to monitor the situation.

The takeaway

The increased ICE presence and enforcement actions at Utah courthouses have raised concerns about disrupting the judicial process, deterring immigrants from seeking legal resolutions, and undermining public trust and safety. This highlights the broader tensions around the Trump administration's crackdown on illegal immigration and the need to balance enforcement with due process and community relations.