Key Takeaways
• Wyoming’s HB 133 bans sanctuary cities, requiring full local cooperation with ICE from March 18, 2025.
• Undocumented immigrants cannot use out-of-state licenses issued without legal status effective July 1, 2025.
• By January 1, 2026, non-U.S. citizen licenses will display ‘Not U.S. citizen’ under new state law.
Wyoming has made major changes to its immigration policies in 2025, especially regarding sanctuary city status and the rights of undocumented immigrants. These changes affect local governments, law enforcement, and immigrant communities across the state. Here’s a detailed update on what has changed, who is affected, the effective dates, required actions, and what these changes mean for people living in or traveling through Wyoming.
Summary of What Changed
As of July 2025, Wyoming is not a sanctuary state. In fact, the state has taken strong steps to make sure that no city or county within its borders can become a sanctuary city. The main law behind this is House Bill 133 (HB 133), which bans any local government from adopting policies that would limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. This means that all local law enforcement agencies in Wyoming must work with federal agencies like ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) when it comes to undocumented immigrants.
Alongside this, Wyoming has passed new laws that make it harder for undocumented immigrants to use driver’s licenses from other states and require special markings on licenses for non-U.S. citizens with legal status. These changes are part of a broader effort by state lawmakers to tighten immigration enforcement and limit the rights of undocumented immigrants.
Key Legislative Changes in 2025
1. House Bill 133 (HB 133): Statewide Ban on Sanctuary Cities
- What it does: HB 133, signed into law by Governor Mark Gordon on March 18, 2025, bans any city, town, or county in Wyoming from declaring itself a sanctuary for undocumented immigrants. It requires all local law enforcement agencies to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
- How it works: Local governments cannot create or enforce any policy that would stop police or sheriffs from working with ICE. This includes honoring ICE “detainers” (requests to hold someone in jail for immigration reasons) and sharing information about people’s immigration status.
- Penalties: The original version of HB 133 included harsh criminal penalties (up to 10 years in prison and $20,000 fines) for officials who did not comply. The final law changed these to civil penalties, meaning local law enforcement agencies could face fines or other non-criminal punishments if they do not follow the law.
- Impact on local control: HB 133 also limits how local governments can spend taxpayer money when it comes to immigration enforcement. This means cities and counties cannot use their budgets to avoid helping with federal immigration actions.
2. Driver’s License Restrictions for Undocumented Immigrants
- House Bill 116: This law, effective July 1, 2025, makes it illegal for undocumented immigrants to use out-of-state driver’s licenses in Wyoming if those licenses were issued by states that allow undocumented immigrants to get them. For example, if someone has a driver’s license from another state that does not require proof of legal status, that license is not valid in Wyoming.
- Senate File 33: Starting January 1, 2026, any driver’s license issued to a non-U.S. citizen with legal status in Wyoming must say “Not U.S. citizen” on it. This is meant to make it clear who is not a citizen and to help with federal civil rights protections.
3. Other Proposed Bills
- Some lawmakers tried to pass even stricter laws, like making it a crime to shelter or transport undocumented immigrants or requiring police to check immigration status during traffic stops. These bills were either changed a lot or did not pass because of concerns about legality, racial profiling, and how hard they would be to enforce.
Who Is Affected by These Changes?
Undocumented Immigrants
- No sanctuary protections: Undocumented immigrants in Wyoming do not have any special protections from local governments. Police and sheriffs are required by law to work with ICE and other federal agencies.
- Driver’s license restrictions: Undocumented immigrants cannot use driver’s licenses from other states that were issued without proof of legal status. Wyoming does not issue driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants at all.
- Increased risk of detention: Because local law enforcement must honor ICE detainers, undocumented immigrants who are arrested for any reason may be held for federal immigration authorities, even if they have not been convicted of a crime.
Local Governments and Law Enforcement
- Required cooperation: All local law enforcement agencies must follow HB 133. They cannot refuse to help federal immigration authorities or adopt policies that limit cooperation.
- Civil penalties: Agencies that do not comply with HB 133 can face civil penalties, such as fines.
- Changes in policy: Some sheriffs, like Teton County Sheriff Matt Carr, have changed their practices to comply with the new law. For example, they now honor ICE hold requests even without a judge’s warrant, which is a shift from previous policies that were more cautious about people’s constitutional rights.
Legal Immigrants and Non-U.S. Citizens
- Driver’s license markings: Starting in 2026, non-U.S. citizens with legal status will have licenses that say “Not U.S. citizen.” This could affect how they are treated by law enforcement and other officials.
Advocacy Groups and Community Organizations
- Opposition to new laws: Groups like the ACLU of Wyoming and immigrant advocacy organizations have spoken out against these laws. They argue that the laws make immigrants feel unwelcome, increase fear and mistrust, and could lead to racial profiling.
- Community impact: These groups warn that the new laws may discourage immigrants from reporting crimes, seeking help from police, or using public services, which could make communities less safe overall.
Effective Dates and Required Actions
- HB 133 (Sanctuary City Ban): Effective as of March 18, 2025. All local governments and law enforcement agencies in Wyoming must comply immediately.
- HB 116 (Driver’s License Restrictions): Effective July 1, 2025. Undocumented immigrants cannot use out-of-state licenses from states that issue them to people without legal status.
- Senate File 33 (License Markings): Effective January 1, 2026. All new licenses issued to non-U.S. citizens with legal status must include the “Not U.S. citizen” marking.
What Local Governments and Law Enforcement Must Do
- Review and update policies: Agencies must make sure their policies do not limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities in any way.
- Train staff: Officers and staff should be trained on the new requirements, including how to handle ICE detainers and requests for information about immigration status.
- Monitor compliance: Agencies should keep records to show they are following the law, as failure to comply can result in civil penalties.
What Immigrants and Community Members Should Know
- No sanctuary protections: Do not expect local police or sheriffs to protect you from federal immigration enforcement in Wyoming.
- Driver’s license rules: If you are undocumented and have a driver’s license from another state that does not require proof of legal status, you cannot legally use it in Wyoming.
- Seek legal advice: If you are concerned about your status or rights under these new laws, contact a trusted immigration attorney or advocacy group for help.
Implications for Pending Applications and Future Immigration Status
- Pending immigration cases: If you have a pending immigration application and are living in Wyoming, you should be aware that any interaction with local law enforcement could lead to contact with ICE. This could affect your case, especially if you are detained.
- Driver’s license renewals: If you are a non-U.S. citizen with legal status, be prepared for changes to your driver’s license starting in 2026. Make sure your documents are up to date and that you understand what the new markings mean.
- Community support: Advocacy groups may offer resources or legal clinics to help people understand their rights and options under the new laws.
Background and Historical Context
Wyoming has never had any cities or counties that declared themselves sanctuary jurisdictions. The 2025 laws simply make this official and prevent any future attempts to create sanctuary policies. This move follows a national trend where some states are passing laws to ban sanctuary cities, while others are moving in the opposite direction.
The push for these laws in Wyoming came from a Republican-led legislature and was supported by Governor Mark Gordon. Supporters argue that the laws are needed to uphold federal immigration laws and protect public safety. Opponents, including the ACLU of Wyoming, say the laws hurt immigrant communities and make it harder for police to build trust with the people they serve.
Key Stakeholders and Their Positions
- Governor Mark Gordon: Signed HB 133 and allowed HB 116 to become law without his signature. He supports strong immigration enforcement but has expressed some concern about possible negative effects on communities.
- Wyoming Legislature: The Republican majority passed both HB 133 and HB 116, showing a clear stance against sanctuary policies and undocumented immigrants’ rights to driver’s licenses.
- ACLU of Wyoming: Strongly opposes the new laws, arguing they violate civil rights and harm community safety.
- Wyoming Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police: Generally supports following the new laws, though some sheriffs have raised concerns about constitutional rights.
- Local officials: Some, like Teton County Sheriff Matt Carr, have changed their policies to comply, even if they had concerns about the impact on community trust.
- Immigrant advocacy groups: Continue to speak out against the laws, warning they make immigrants feel unwelcome and less likely to seek help from law enforcement.
Community Impact and Concerns
- Fear and mistrust: Many immigrants may become more afraid to interact with police or report crimes, which can make communities less safe.
- Racial profiling: There is concern that the laws could lead to people being targeted based on how they look or speak, even if they are in the country legally.
- Access to services: Immigrants may avoid using public services, like health care or education, out of fear that their information could be shared with immigration authorities.
Future Outlook
Wyoming’s approach to immigration enforcement is expected to remain strict. There are no signs that the state will allow sanctuary protections in the near future. The new driver’s license rules will continue to roll out, with the “Not U.S. citizen” marking taking effect in 2026.
Advocacy groups may keep fighting these laws through public education, lobbying, and possibly legal challenges, especially if there are cases of civil rights violations or racial profiling.
Practical Guidance and Next Steps
- For immigrants: Know your rights and be cautious when interacting with law enforcement. If you are undocumented, do not rely on out-of-state driver’s licenses in Wyoming. Seek legal help if you have questions about your status or the new laws.
- For local officials and law enforcement: Make sure your policies are up to date and that you are following all state laws regarding cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
- For advocacy groups: Continue to educate communities about their rights and monitor for any cases of abuse or civil rights violations.
Where to Find More Information
For the full text and status of House Bill 133 and other immigration-related laws in Wyoming, visit the Wyoming Legislature’s official website. This site provides up-to-date information on all state laws and legislative actions.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, Wyoming’s new laws reflect a strong state-level stance against sanctuary protections and increased restrictions on undocumented immigrants. These changes have significant effects on local communities and raise important questions about civil rights and public safety.
Conclusion
Wyoming has made it clear in 2025 that it will not allow sanctuary cities or counties and will require full cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The passage of House Bill 133 and related laws means that undocumented immigrants have fewer protections and face more restrictions, especially when it comes to driving and interacting with law enforcement. While these laws are supported by state leaders, they have sparked strong opposition from civil rights groups and immigrant advocates. Anyone affected by these changes should stay informed, know their rights, and seek help if needed.
Learn Today
Sanctuary City → A city that limits cooperation with federal immigration enforcement to protect undocumented immigrants.
House Bill 133 (HB 133) → Wyoming law banning sanctuary city policies and mandating cooperation with ICE by local law enforcement.
ICE Detainer → A federal request for local authorities to hold a person in custody for immigration reasons.
Undocumented Immigrant → A person living in the U.S. without legal immigration status or authorization.
Driver’s License Marking → A label on non-U.S. citizen licenses stating ‘Not U.S. citizen’ starting Jan 1, 2026.
This Article in a Nutshell
Wyoming’s 2025 laws ban sanctuary cities and restrict undocumented immigrants’ license use. Local police must fully cooperate with ICE. New license markings for non-citizens start in 2026. These policies tightly enforce immigration laws, affecting communities statewide and prompting opposition from civil rights advocates and immigrant groups.
— By VisaVerge.com
