A Teacher Sees An “Offensive” License
Controversial License Plate Sparks Outrage
A Utah vanity plate reading “DEPORTM” (interpreted as “Deport Them”) caused public outrage after a high school teacher, Matt Pacenza, shared a photo on Twitter. He asked, “how does this plate I just saw not violate your guidelines?” The post drew widespread criticism, with commenters calling the plate “horrific” and “a failure of public trust.”
DMV’s Oversight Under Fire
The Utah DMV confirmed the plate was authentic and approved in 2015, despite rules banning “vulgar” or “derogatory” content. The slip raised questions about the DMV’s review process, as the plate appeared “xenophobic” to many.
Political Response and Investigation
Utah State Senator Daniel Thatcher condemned the plate, saying, “We’re talking about someone using state resources to promote divisiveness. That’s not just wrong—it’s dangerous.” The Tax Commission launched an investigation into how the plate was approved. Senator Luz Escamilla called it “unacceptable” and pushed for stricter review rules.
Calls for Reform and Accountability
The incident gained national attention, with advocates urging systemic change. One activist tweeted, “It’s not enough to apologize—we need reform.” The plate is likely to be recalled as Utah works to prevent such divisive messages from appearing again and restore public trust.
