Governor Gordon Enacts Wyoming National Guard Assistance for ICE Operations
The ACLU of Wyoming has expressed strong opposition to the deployment of the Wyoming National Guard for domestic immigration enforcement, arguing that it blurs the line between military and civilian law enforcement and raises concerns about potential abuses of power.
Governor Mark Gordon has approved the activation of Wyoming National Guard personnel to assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Up to 15 members will provide support in administrative, logistical, and transportation roles, but will not be directly involved in apprehensions. The federal authorization for this mission came from U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
The ACLU's Executive Director, Libby Skarin, has publicly expressed concerns about the potential negative impact on local communities and the use of tax dollars. Recent reports have shown that most of the people detained by ICE in Wyoming over the last year do not have any criminal record, which contradicts the Governor's justification that this deployment enhances public safety.
The ACLU's stance is focused on protecting the separation between military and civilian functions and safeguarding immigrant rights and community trust. They argue that any military involvement in immigration enforcement, even in a supporting role, remains problematic.
The National Guard's involvement in immigration enforcement is causing distress and fear among some Wyoming residents. Critics argue that it is not an effective or appropriate use of tax dollars, and the mobilization of the Wyoming National Guard is causing fear in local communities, leading to empty outdoor concerts, families going without groceries, and valuable employees being too terrified to show up to work.
The National Guard's deployment is contributing to a drain of resources and further devastation in Wyoming communities. The oath sworn by Governor Mark Gordon includes representing the interests of all Wyomingites, not just a select few. However, the ACLU argues that Gordon's actions are not in the best interest of all Wyomingites, including immigrants.
In summary, the ACLU of Wyoming's stance is one of firm opposition, focused on protecting the separation between military and civilian functions and safeguarding immigrant rights and community trust. The Guard mission is expected to begin within 30 days, but the ACLU's concerns are far from resolved.
[1] ACLU of Wyoming press release, 2021. [4] Interview with ACLU of Wyoming Executive Director, Libby Skarin, 2021.
The ACLU of Wyoming's press release states that their stance is one of firm opposition, particularly in policy-and-legislation and general-news domains, as they argue against the involvement of the Wyoming National Guard in immigration enforcement due to concerns over the separation between military and civilian functions and the potential impact on immigrant rights and community trust. In the realm of politics, this issue has sparked controversy, with critics arguing that the deployment is problematic and inappropriate, raising concerns about crime-and-justice and the state's allocation of resources.
