Utah statute
Utah Code Ann. § 76-14-209 — Transporting or harboring an alien.
Current through 2026 General Session
Part of Part 2: Offenses Related to Immigration Status, Utah Code.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of Utah Code Ann. § 76-14-209
Statutory text current through the 2026 General Session. This publication reproduces the official statutory text; it is not the official statutes of the State of Utah.
(1)(a) As used in this section: (1)(a)(i) Except as provided in Subsection (1)(a)(ii), "alien" means an individual who is illegally present in the United States. (1)(a)(ii) On or after the program start date, as defined in Section 63G-12-102, "alien" does not include an individual who holds a valid permit, as defined in Section 63G-12-102. (1)(b) Terms defined in Sections 76-1-101.5, 76-14-101, and 76-14-201 apply to this section. (2) An actor commits transporting or harboring an alien if the actor: (2)(a) transports, moves, or attempts to transport into this state or within the state an alien for commercial advantage or private financial gain, knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that the alien is in the United States in violation of federal law, in furtherance of the illegal presence of the alien in the United States; (2)(b) knowingly, with the intent to violate federal immigration law, conceals, harbors, or shelters from detection an alien in a place within this state, including a building or means of transportation for commercial advantage or private financial gain, knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that the alien is in the United States in violation of federal law; (2)(c) encourages or induces an alien to come to, enter, or reside in this state, knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that the alien's coming to, entry, or residence is or will be in violation of law; or (2)(d) engages in a conspiracy, for commercial advantage or private financial gain, to commit any of the offenses listed in Subsection (2)(a), (b), or (c). (3)(a) A violation of Subsection (2)(a), (c), or (d) is a third degree felony. (3)(b) A violation of Subsection (2)(b) is a class A misdemeanor. (4) Nothing in this section prohibits or restricts the provision of: (4)(a) a state or local public benefit described in 8 U.S.C. Sec. 1621(b); or (4)(b) charitable or humanitarian assistance, including medical care, housing, counseling, food, victim assistance, religious services and sacraments, or transportation to and from a location where the assistance is provided, by a charitable, educational, or religious organization or the employees, agents, or volunteers of a charitable, educational, or religious organization, using private funds. (5)(a) It is not a violation of this section for a religious denomination or organization or an agent, officer, or member of a religious denomination or organization to encourage, invite, call, allow, or enable an alien to perform the vocation of a minister or missionary for the denomination or organization in the United States as a volunteer who is not compensated as an employee, notwithstanding the provision of room, board, travel, medical assistance, and other basic living expenses. (5)(b) Subsection (5)(a) applies only to an alien who has been a member of the religious denomination or organization for at least one year. (6) An individual's participation in Title 63G, Chapter 14, Utah Pilot Sponsored Resident Immigrant Program Act, either as a sponsor or resident alien, does not constitute encouraging or inducing an alien to come to, enter, or reside in this state in violation of Subsection (2)(c).
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
Is transporting or harboring an alien a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?
It depends on the circumstances: transporting or harboring an alien ranges from a Class A Misdemeanor to a Third Degree Felony in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-14-209.
Transporting/moving alien, encouraging/inducing entry, or conspiracy thereof: Third Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-14-209(3)(a)) · Concealing, harboring, or sheltering an alien: Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-14-209(3)(b))
Which Utah statute covers transporting or harboring an alien?
Transporting or harboring an alien is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-14-209 (Transporting or harboring an alien).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.