A Utah vanity plate reading “DEPORTM” has triggered widespread outrage after high school teacher Matt Pacenza posted a photo of it on Twitter, questioning how it was ever approved. Many interpreted the plate as xenophobic, prompting fierce backlash and renewed scrutiny of state oversight.
The Utah DMV confirmed the plate was issued in 2015, despite clear guidelines prohibiting derogatory or offensive language. Public information officer Tammy Kikuchi admitted it was a mistake, raising serious questions about how it slipped through the review process. Utah lawmakers, including Republican State Senator Daniel Thatcher and Democratic State Senator Luz Escamilla, quickly condemned the plate.
Escamilla scheduled a legislative review to examine approval procedures and prevent similar incidents. Both parties agreed such messaging, especially on state-issued materials, is unacceptable.
The plate has likely been flagged for recall. Civil rights groups and community leaders are using the case to demand reform and greater transparency in how personalized plates are approved.
“This isn’t just a mistake—it’s a failure of the system,” one activist noted. “State-issued messages must reflect shared values, not promote hate.”