Utah § 76-14-202 - Detention or arrest -- Determination of immigration status.
Full text of Utah Utah Code § 76-14-202 — Detention or arrest -- Determination of immigration status., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 76-14-202. Detention or arrest -- Determination of immigration status.
Effective 5/6/2026 76-14-202.
Detention or arrest -- Determination of immigration status.
(1)
(a)
Except as provided in Subsection (1)(b), (c), or (d), a law enforcement officer who, acting in the enforcement of a state law or local ordinance, conducts a lawful stop, detention, or arrest of an individual as specified in Subsection (1)(a)(i) or (ii), and the individual is unable to provide to the law enforcement officer a document listed in Subsection 76-14-203(1) and the law enforcement officer is otherwise unable to verify the identity of the individual, the law enforcement officer:
(i)
shall request verification of the citizenship or the immigration status of the individual under 8 U.S.C. Sec. 1373(c), except as allowed under Subsection (1)(b), (c), or (d), if the individual is arrested for an alleged offense that is a class A misdemeanor or a felony; and
(ii)
may attempt to verify the immigration status of the individual, except as exempted under Subsection (1)(b), (c), or (d), if the alleged offense is a class B or C misdemeanor, except that if the individual is arrested and booked for a class B or C misdemeanor, the arresting law enforcement officer or the law enforcement agency booking the individual shall attempt to verify the immigration status of the individual.
(b)
In individual cases, the law enforcement officer may forego the verification of immigration status under Subsection (1)(a) if the determination could hinder or obstruct a criminal investigation.
(c)
Subsection (1)(a) does not apply to a law enforcement officer who is acting as a school resource officer for an elementary or secondary school.
(d)
Subsection (1)(a) does not apply to a county or municipality when it has only one law enforcement officer on duty and response support from another law enforcement agency is not available.
(2)
When a law enforcement officer makes a lawful stop, detention, or arrest under Subsection (1) of the operator of a vehicle, and while investigating or processing the primary offense, the law enforcement officer makes observations that give the law enforcement officer reasonable suspicion that the operator or any of the passengers in the vehicle are violating Section 76-5-308, 76-5-308.1, 76-5-308.5, 76-5-308.6, 76-5-310, 76-5-310.2, 76-5-311, 76-5-312, 76-5-316, 76-5-317, or 76-14-209, which concern smuggling, human trafficking, or transporting illegal aliens, the law enforcement officer shall, to the extent possible within a reasonable period of time:
(a)
detain the occupants of the vehicle to investigate the suspected violations; and
(b)
inquire regarding the immigration status of the occupants of the vehicle.
(3)
When an individual under Subsection (1) is arrested or booked into a jail, juvenile detention facility, or correctional facility, the arresting officer or the booking officer shall ensure that a request for verification of immigration status of the arrested or booked individual is submitted as promptly as is reasonably possible.
(4)
The law enforcement agency that has custody of an individual verified to be an illegal alien shall request that the United States Department of Homeland Security issue a detainer requesting transfer of the illegal alien into federal custody.
(5)
A law enforcement officer may not consider race, color, or national origin in implementing this section, except to the extent permitted by the constitutions of the United States and this state.
Section 76-14-202 ("Detention or arrest -- Determination of immigration status.") is part of the Utah Code, the codified statutory law of Utah. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Utah § 76-14-202?
A common citation format is "Utah Code § 76-14-202" (Utah). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Utah law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Utah official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Utah attorney.
How does Utah § 76-14-202 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Utah can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
