Mental Health, Policy, and Community: The Effects of ICE Expansion in Utah

Info graphic and research led and conducted by Michelle Corona, MSW-I

Dear Friends,

Arches Healing & Growth strives to be a welcoming and inclusive space for everyone, including our immigrant community. As someone directly affected by immigration policies and coming from a mixed-status family, it’s important to me to speak up at this moment as immigration enforcement escalates and ICE is attempting to open a facility on the west side of Salt Lake County, a neighborhood many immigrants call home. 

Our practice works closely with immigrants and their families as they navigate psychological evaluations and waivers, and we’ve seen a huge impact on our clients as ICE enforcement escalates. From increased wait times to fear of being detained at hearings, the current climate takes a financial, logistical and mental health toll on folks. We are committed to being a space where people can feel both safe and supported, and we want to be vocal about our commitment to supporting communities where everyone can heal and grow. 

More than 300,000 immigrants live in Utah, accounting for 9 percent of our state’s population. Immigrants are an important part of our community, representing the diversity that makes all of us stronger and more informed. On top of that, immigrants play a crucial role in our state’s economy, contributing $12.1 billion to our gross domestic product in Salt Lake County alone and about 23 billion statewide in 2023. 

Placing an ICE facility in Utah is already bad enough, but locating it on the west side of the county is a unique slap in the face. West Valley City has the highest number of foreign-born residents in Utah (nearly 32,000 people), making up 23.2% of its total population. Not only will increasing ICE’s presence lead to greater fear and uncertainty, but it will also impose an economic toll on an area that already struggles compared to neighboring communities. 

We’ve put together a report on some data on immigration in Utah, the effect this ICE facility is likely to have, and the violations of our ideals and liberties this escalation represents. 

These attacks on human dignity and basic empathy go beyond our immigrant communities and affect all of us. As we step into this moment of resistance and make our voices heard, it helps to have clear data to combat the steady stream of misinformation coming from our federal administration.

I am confident our community will rise to the challenge of protecting our neighbors, and I’m grateful to be a part of that effort. 

Sincerely, 

Joselyn Romero, LCSW Founder of Arches Healing and Growth

and Michelle Corona, MSW-I