A vanity license plate reading “DEPORTM” has sparked outrage in Utah after a teacher, Matt Pacenza, posted a photo of it on Twitter, questioning how it was approved.
The plate, widely interpreted as “Deport Them,” drew swift backlash for its xenophobic message. Hundreds condemned it online, calling it racist and a failure of public oversight.
Utah DMV confirmed the plate was issued in 2015, despite guidelines prohibiting derogatory language. The incident raised questions about how such a message bypassed review and remained unnoticed for years.
Vanity plates are a blend of private and government speech, meaning states can reject offensive messages without violating free speech laws.
Lawmakers from both parties, including Republican Senator Daniel Thatcher and Democratic Senator Luz Escamilla, condemned the plate and pushed for accountability. The Tax Commission launched an internal investigation, and officials pledged to strengthen review processes. Civil rights groups highlighted this as a systemic issue, urging transparency, reform, and regular review of approved plates. The plate will likely be recalled, but the controversy has sparked broader scrutiny of DMV practices and the responsibility of states to prevent public displays of hate.
