USA/ICE Controversy—
By Eric Galatas, producer, Wyoming News Service, a bureau of Public News Service.
Wyoming counties allowing their law enforcement officers to be deputized as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents did so illegally, according to information obtained through a public records request by the American Civil Liberties Union of Wyoming.
Critics of the federal 287(g) program said it is diverting law enforcement resources away from public safety priorities.
Janna Farley, communications director for the ACLU of Wyoming, said it also keeps people from calling for help when crimes are committed.
“If they see something going on in the community, they’re going to be less likely to call law enforcement because they don’t want to have a magnifying glass on their community. They could get caught up into ICE and perhaps someone they know or love could be deported,” Farley explained.
Wyoming Counties Made Agreements With ICE
All Wyoming counties failed to hold a notice or comment period before entering into agreements with ICE, a violation of the Wyoming Administrative Procedures Act.
Farley added Campbell, Hot Springs, Lincoln and Natrona counties were unable to produce any records showing the agreements had been approved by county commissioners. Defenders of the 287(g) program said it is necessary to fulfill President Donald Trump’s campaign promises of mass deportations.
Farley noted Trump also promised the administration was only interested in rounding up hardened criminals, including murderers and rapists.
“But what the data is showing is that’s not happening. Just ordinary people are getting swept up and entered into the deportation system,” Farley pointed out.
More than 70% of people detained by ICE have no criminal conviction, and most with convictions were for minor offenses like traffic violations, according to data from the Transactional Access Records Clearinghouse. Farley added when it comes to decisions affecting entire communities, Wyomingites deserve a transparent, democratic process but it has not happened.
“True public safety means building trust within our communities, not alienating them through fear. If we want Wyoming to continue to be strong, our elected officials and leaders must remember that real people are affected by decisions like this every day,” Farley underscored.
