A Teacher Sees An “Offensive” License Plate

Controversial Utah License Plate Sparks Outrage
A vanity license plate reading “DEPORTM” caused uproar in Utah after high school teacher Matt Pacenza spotted it and posted a photo on Twitter. Tagging the Utah Driver License Division, he asked, “Hey, how does this plate I just saw not violate your guidelines?” The post quickly went viral, with users calling the plate “horrific” and “a failure of public trust.” Many questioned, “That should never have been accepted by the DMV—how did this slip through?”

DMV’s Oversight Under Fire
The Utah DMV confirmed the plate was authentic and approved in 2015. This surprised many, since DMV rules ban plates with “vulgar, derogatory, profane or obscene” language or those that express “contempt” of any group. The plate, seen as xenophobic, exposed “the cracks” in the DMV’s review process, raising concerns about accountability and effectiveness.

Political Reactions and Investigation
State Senator Daniel Thatcher called the plate “clearly offensive and unworthy of state endorsement,” adding, “We’re talking about someone using state resources to promote divisiveness. That’s not just wrong—it’s dangerous.” Senator Luz Escamilla called it “unacceptable” and pushed for legislative review of the DMV’s approval procedures. Officials promised to tighten guidelines and improve oversight during a committee hearing.

Public Backlash and Calls for Reform
The incident gained national attention, sparking debates on xenophobia and bias in government agencies. An activist tweeted, “This license plate didn’t just fall through the cracks—it tells us something about the cracks themselves.”