In response to a growing scandal surrounding a personalized license plate bearing the message “DEPORTM,” state officials in Utah have initiated a thorough legislative and administrative review of the approval process for custom plates. The move, spearheaded by key figures including Senator Escamilla and supported by the Utah Tax Commission, aims to address systemic weaknesses exposed by the incident and prevent future oversights. This development comes as public outrage intensifies and community leaders call for stricter oversight and greater transparency.
The controversy centers on a license plate approved by the Utah Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in 2015, which features the word “DEPORTM,” widely interpreted as a provocative reference to immigration enforcement. The plate first drew complaints from citizens as early as 2016, with multiple individuals raising concerns about its potential to incite division or violence. Despite these early warnings, the complaints were reportedly dismissed at various levels within the DMV, a flaw acknowledged by Scott Smith, executive director of the Utah Tax Commission, during a recent meeting with the Utah Administrative Rules Review Committee.
“This incident highlights a critical weakness in our system,” Smith explained. “If a decision-maker at any point in the review chain deems a plate acceptable, subsequent complaints from citizens can be overlooked, regardless of their volume. That must change.” The admission came after it was revealed that the DMV failed to act on repeated grievances, including a detailed complaint filed by Salt Lake City resident Marge Pett in October 2017. Pett, who spotted the plate near the University of Utah where many international students reside, expressed alarm in her correspondence with the DMV, warning that the message could provoke hostility. She was assured by a supervisor in 2018 that the plate would be recalled, a promise that went unfulfilled until public pressure mounted following the plate’s reappearance on social media last week.
Two other complainants, who contacted the DMV in 2016, reported similar experiences. They agreed to testify if an appeal arose but received no further communication, assuming the issue had been resolved. More recently, Mary Lou Beckwith of Tooele lodged a complaint just six to eight weeks ago, with a DMV employee promising to escalate the matter. However, the lack of follow-through left these individuals frustrated and prompted renewed scrutiny.
The Utah Tax Commission has since placed the “DEPORTM” plate under review, a decision that has sparked widespread debate. Critics question how the plate passed initial scrutiny, given the DMV’s existing guidelines, which prohibit messages that “express contempt, ridicule, or superiority of a race, religion, deity, ethnic heritage, gender, or political affiliation,” as well as those that are vulgar, derogatory, obscene, or suggest endangerment to public welfare. Monte Roberts, the state’s DMV director, acknowledged the challenge of consistent enforcement, noting that his 11-person miscellaneous services unit processes approximately 450 personalized plate requests monthly alongside other duties. In 2019 alone, the office rejected about 900 applications, with roughly half due to conflicts with existing plates, 30 for public welfare concerns, 100 for sexual references, and 130 for vulgarity or obscenity. Roberts also highlighted creative attempts by applicants to bypass rules, such as using backward text or non-English languages, citing denied plates like “MURDA,” “PECKER1,” “4TWENTY,” and “DA^NUTZ” over the past five years.
To address these issues, Smith outlined proposed reforms during the committee meeting. The DMV will now log all complaints into a shared system accessible to all decision-makers, ensuring no grievance is ignored. Additionally, multiple complaints about a single plate will trigger a mandatory review by the Utah Attorney General’s Office. These measures aim to enhance accountability and streamline the process, though implementation details are still being finalized.
The incident has galvanized community action, with civil rights groups and local advocates pressing for broader changes. Organizations such as the Utah NAACP have called for a more transparent approval process, arguing that state-issued items should reflect shared community values. “This is not merely an oversight; it’s a systemic failure that undermines public trust,” said a spokesperson during a community forum held earlier today in Salt Lake City, where over 150 residents gathered to voice their concerns. Advocates also highlighted the plate’s potential to endanger drivers, particularly in diverse areas like the University of Utah campus, echoing Pett’s initial fears.
Lawmakers have expressed interest in further refining the policy. Representative Marc Roberts, R-Salem, who chairs the administrative rules review committee, noted the subjective nature of offense in modern society: “In today’s day and age, you never know what somebody’s going to find objectionable.” The committee is also exploring a proposal to allow DMV officials to consider “legislative positions” in their reviews, such as a 2011 resolution designating the Browning M1911 semiautomatic pistol as the state firearm. This has sparked a related debate, with local gun advocates Clark Aposhian and Bill Pedersen of the Utah Shooting Sports Council appealing the DMV’s denial of M1911-related plates. Aposhian argued that the designation was intended as a unifying symbol for Utahns, not a contentious issue, and the Tax Commission is slated to hear their case in the coming weeks.
As the review process gains momentum, Senator Escamilla has pledged to consult widely with stakeholders, including DMV staff, legal experts, and community representatives, to develop a balanced solution. “We are committed to restoring confidence in our public systems,” she said in a statement released this evening. “This review is an opportunity to align our policies with the values of inclusivity and respect that define Utah.”
The path forward remains complex, with potential challenges around balancing free expression with public decency. Some citizens worry that stricter rules could limit personal creativity, a concern Escamilla has acknowledged but countered with a promise to seek common ground. As the clock strikes 10:40 PM +07 on this pivotal Friday, the “DEPORTM” controversy stands as a critical test for state officials, with the outcome likely to shape the future of personalized license plates in Utah for years to come.