Utah criminal charge
Transporting or harboring an alien in Utah
Transporting or harboring an alien is a criminal offense under Utah law, defined by Utah Code Ann. § 76-14-209. Its classification is not fixed: Utah assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by Utah Code Ann. § 76-14-209.
What is the penalty for transporting or harboring an alien in Utah?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Transporting/moving alien, encouraging/inducing entry, or conspiracy thereof — Applies when the violation is of Subsection (2)(a), (c), or (d), i.e., transporting/moving an alien for commercial advantage, encouraging/inducing an alien's unlawful entry or residence, or conspiring to commit those offenses.; indeterminate prison term, unless the statute provides otherwise; actual release is determined by the Board of Pardons and Parole) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Transporting/moving alien, encouraging/inducing entry, or conspiracy thereof — Applies when the violation is of Subsection (2)(a), (c), or (d), i.e., transporting/moving an alien for commercial advantage, encouraging/inducing an alien's unlawful entry or residence, or conspiring to commit those offenses.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
| Jail / prison | Concealing, harboring, or sheltering an alien — Applies when the violation is of Subsection (2)(b), i.e., knowingly concealing, harboring, or sheltering an alien from detection for commercial advantage or private financial gain.; up to 364 days — except up to one year for class A misdemeanors under Title 76, Chapter 5 (Offenses Against the Individual), other than Sections 76-5-102.9, 76-5-107.5, 76-5-113, and 76-5-303, which remain at 364 days (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204(1)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Fine | up to $2,500 (Concealing, harboring, or sheltering an alien — Applies when the violation is of Subsection (2)(b), i.e., knowingly concealing, harboring, or sheltering an alien from detection for commercial advantage or private financial gain.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
Applies to current (2026 General Session).
How is transporting or harboring an alien classified in Utah?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transporting/moving alien, encouraging/inducing entry, or conspiracy thereof | Third Degree Felony | Applies when the violation is of Subsection (2)(a), (c), or (d), i.e., transporting/moving an alien for commercial advantage, encouraging/inducing an alien's unlawful entry or residence, or conspiring to commit those offenses. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-14-209(3)(a) |
| Concealing, harboring, or sheltering an alien | Class A Misdemeanor | Applies when the violation is of Subsection (2)(b), i.e., knowingly concealing, harboring, or sheltering an alien from detection for commercial advantage or private financial gain. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-14-209(3)(b) |
Common questions about transporting or harboring an alien in Utah
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))
What are the penalties for transporting or harboring an alien in Utah?
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).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.