Governor Gordon formalized a new agreement on July 28, 2025, bringing the Wyoming Highway Patrol into the federal 287(g) program. This move allows state troopers to help U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with certain immigration enforcement duties across Wyoming.
The 287(g) program, created under the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, lets ICE give some immigration enforcement powers to local and state police. Now, Wyoming Highway Patrol officers can use ICE databases to check immigration status and take action if they suspect someone is in the country without permission. This includes sharing information, serving warrants, and handling immigration issues during regular traffic stops and other police work.
ICE will provide all training for Wyoming Highway Patrol officers at no cost to the state. Wyoming will not have to pay extra for joining the 287(g) program. The agreement uses the Task Force Model, which means ICE will closely oversee and work with state police to make sure everything follows federal rules.
Wyoming Highway Patrol will now work with five county sheriff’s offices already in ICE agreements: Carbon, Campbell, Natrona, Sweetwater, and Laramie counties. Other counties in Wyoming are also thinking about joining the program, which could mean even more local police will help with immigration enforcement.
Governor Gordon has supported stronger immigration enforcement for years. In 2024, he set aside $750,000 to help Wyoming police who assist with border security. Wyoming officers have also traveled to Texas to help with border work, and Texas Rangers have trained Wyoming police. Governor Gordon said he is proud of the Wyoming Highway Patrol’s role in supporting immigration enforcement through this new agreement.
Robert Guadian, the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Denver Field Office Director, called the agreement a “great force multiplier” for ICE in Wyoming. He thanked Governor Gordon for helping keep communities safe. Wyoming Highway Patrol Colonel Tim Cameron said the agreement fits well with the daily work of state troopers, who patrol busy highways that sometimes see illegal activity. He believes the partnership will make law enforcement stronger and improve public safety.
What does this mean for people in Wyoming?
– Wyoming Highway Patrol officers can now check immigration status and detain people suspected of immigration violations during routine stops.
– The agreement improves teamwork between state and federal law enforcement, which could make immigration enforcement faster and more effective.
– ICE covers all costs for training and operations, so Wyoming taxpayers do not pay extra.
– More counties may join the program, leading to even more cooperation with ICE.
Law enforcement leaders see the agreement as a way to boost public safety and stop illegal immigration-related crime on Wyoming’s highways. However, some civil rights groups often worry that programs like 287(g) could lead to racial profiling or unfair treatment, though these concerns were not directly mentioned in the current sources.
Looking ahead, more Wyoming counties may join the 287(g) program, and continued training with ICE and Texas Rangers will likely improve police skills. The agreement supports federal goals to have state and local police work more closely with ICE.
For more details about the 287(g) program, visit the official ICE 287(g) program page. As reported by VisaVerge.com, this agreement marks a major step in Wyoming’s involvement in federal immigration enforcement.
Learn Today
287(g) program → Federal program allowing local police to assist ICE with immigration enforcement under supervision.
ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, federal agency enforcing immigration laws.
Task Force Model → A 287(g) approach where ICE directly supervises state/local law enforcement in immigration duties.
Detain → To legally hold a person suspected of violating immigration laws during an investigation.
Immigration enforcement → Activities by authorities to identify, detain, and remove people violating immigration laws.
This Article in a Nutshell
Wyoming joins federal 287(g) program, empowering Highway Patrol officers for immigration enforcement with ICE training. This strengthens state-federal collaboration, improves public safety, and has no added cost to Wyoming taxpayers amid growing county participation potential.
— By VisaVerge.com
