MILL CREEK, Utah — Millcreek Mayor Jeff Silvestrini has raised serious concerns regarding the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents following a traffic stop in late January. In an email sent to ICE representative Jason Knight, Silvestrini described the agents’ conduct as “unprofessional and perhaps criminal,” stemming from an incident where ICE agents accused a driver of swerving toward them in an attempt to sideswipe them.
Officers from the Unified Police Department (UPD) who responded to the scene reportedly found no evidence to support the ICE agents’ claims. Silvestrini’s email further demanded that ICE conduct an internal investigation into the traffic stop, particularly concerning the “demonstrably false” statements made by the agents during the investigation. He also requested that ICE consider potential criminal charges for the alleged misconduct.
In his letter, Silvestrini expressed frustration with the situation, noting that ICE’s actions had unnecessarily drawn resources from both Millcreek and neighboring Murray. “ICE sapped resources from both my city and Murray when they summoned ‘expedited assistance’ for an event which appears to have been nothing more than your officers having ‘thin skin’ in the face of a citizen’s exercise of his right to free speech,” he wrote. The mayor continued by suggesting that the agents’ conduct reflected poor training or even “thuggery” that could harm the reputation of all law enforcement officers.
One aspect of the incident that raised further suspicion was the refusal of two of the three ICE agents involved to sign witness statements, a detail Silvestrini pointed out as indicative of possible wrongdoing.
In response to the allegations, a spokesperson for ICE emphasized the department’s commitment to integrity and ethical behavior, stating that the majority of ICE employees perform their duties with professionalism and honor. The statement further stressed that ICE takes all allegations of misconduct seriously and investigates them thoroughly. If any employee is found to have committed misconduct, ICE promised swift and appropriate action.
Despite the tense exchange, Silvestrini reiterated his support for ICE’s legitimate operations, particularly its efforts to locate and deport violent criminals and felons. However, the mayor made it clear that he would not tolerate actions by ICE agents that he believes violate the civil rights of citizens or disrupt the daily operations of his city. “When these efforts unnecessarily consume resources or cause disruptions, that’s where I draw the line,” Silvestrini stated.
The mayor has requested to be kept informed about the outcome of ICE’s internal review of the incident, including any disciplinary measures taken against the agents involved.
As the investigation continues, this incident highlights ongoing tensions between local authorities and federal agencies, particularly over the role of ICE in the community and the standards to which its agents are held. The outcome of this case could have broader implications for how allegations of misconduct within federal agencies are handled moving forward.