Provo, Utah, Mayor Marsha Judkins is facing criticism after issuing a Pioneer Day proclamation recognizing refugees who have resettled in the city as “modern-day pioneers,” prompting debate over the meaning of the state’s annual holiday.
The proclamation, shared on the city’s social media accounts alongside a video featuring several African refugees living in Provo, drew criticism from opponents who argued the comparison altered the traditional meaning of Pioneer Day.
Pioneer Day, observed annually on July 24, commemorates the arrival of Mormon pioneers in the Salt Lake Valley in 1847 under the leadership of Brigham Young.
The holiday has long been dedicated to honoring the settlers who traveled west seeking religious freedom and established communities throughout what would become the state of Utah.
Judkins, who took office after winning Provo’s 2025 mayoral election, used this year’s proclamation to recognize refugees who have resettled in Provo through the federal refugee program, according to Breitbart.
In a message posted to Instagram, Judkins said Pioneer Day is an opportunity to “recognize those who journeyed west in search of religious freedom and the opportunity to build a better future free from persecution.”
She added that the city also recognizes members of its refugee community “who embody that same pioneer spirit, leaving behind familiar homes to begin new lives in a place they had never seen before.”
The accompanying video featured several African refugees who now call Provo home.
Judkins also quoted former Utah Gov. Gary Herbert (R), who previously wrote that “the men and women rebuilding their lives in our communities are modern-day pioneers.”
The mayor’s proclamation stated it was recognizing “the stories of modern-day pioneers who have found a home in Provo through the U.S. refugee program.”
It encouraged residents to learn about refugees’ experiences and highlighted contributions, including service with local nonprofit organizations and in the U.S. military.
According to Judkins’ official biography, she has lived in Provo for nearly four decades, previously served on the Provo School Board and in the Utah Legislature, and has said her administration is focused on transparent governance, fiscal responsibility, and responsive city services.
The proclamation sparked criticism on social media, where opponents argued Pioneer Day should remain focused on commemorating Utah’s original Mormon settlers.
One X user described the proclamation as “Disgraceful conduct by Marsha Judkins and Provo City,” adding that it amounted to “erasing history.”
Another called it “a vile indictment of the actual pioneers and hardworking generations of citizens,” while other posts labeled Judkins a “Leftist RINO,” urged residents to “get a new mayor,” and called on voters to “primary her.”
The controversy comes as immigration and refugee policy continue to be central issues in national politics.
The Trump administration has prioritized stricter immigration enforcement and lower refugee admissions, while some state and local officials have continued promoting refugee resettlement initiatives within their communities.
The differing approaches have fueled broader debates over border security, refugee policy, and how local governments should address immigration-related issues.
Against that backdrop, Judkins’ Pioneer Day proclamation has become another local point of debate in the ongoing national conversation surrounding immigration and the meaning of the holiday and immigration policy.
WATCH:
