Tuesday JULY 29, 2025|
Governor Mark Gordon on Monday announced that the Wyoming Highway Patrol (WHP) has entered into an agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to participate in the 287(g) program to assist federal ICE officers with immigration.
The Highway Patrol will also perform their regular duties while working with ICE agents.
The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) gives WHP the authority to perform specified immigration officer functions under federal oversight. WHP officers will have the ability to develop evidence and other fact-finding duties when they encounter individuals who are in violation of U.S. immigration laws.
In a statement, Governor Gordon said, “Wyoming has been firm in our commitment to helping secure the border and this is another step in that process.”
The Governor, who visited the border between Texas and Mexico during his first term while Joe Biden was President, added that the internal security of the United States depends upon effective immigration enforcement.
In January, President Donald Trump issued Executive Order (EO) 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion.
The EO directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to work with the 50 States to develop agreements that authorize State and local law enforcement to perform functions of immigration officers.
The phased roll out of the Task Force model allows Wyoming Highway Patrol officers to access ICE databases to help establish whether individuals are lawfully present and take appropriate detention actions under direction of ICE. Free training will be provided.
Col. Tim Cameron, the top Administrator at Wyoming Highway Patrol, supports the arrangement. In a statement, Col. Cameron, said, “This partnership strengthens public safety, expands our access to federal resources and intelligence, and reinforces the strong working relationships we maintain with local law enforcement.”
