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The ACLU of Wyoming filed a state lawsuit challenging Laramie County’s contracts with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak signed the contracts, commonly called 287(g) agreements, without the authorization of the Laramie County Commission, the county’s governing body. The case was filed on behalf of four plaintiffs: Juntos Wyoming, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Cheyenne and Drew’s Barbershop. Each has had to significantly alter their normal business operations to respond to the consequences of the county’s involvement with 287(g). The lawsuit asserts that the sheriff overstepped his authority, violating Wyoming law and the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act, by failing to get approval from Laramie County Commissioners when he signed the county’s 287(g) agreements with ICE. Sheriffs under Wyoming law have limited authority granted by statute. Any agreement that the sheriff wants to enter into has to be approved by the governing authority of the municipality. This did not happen in Laramie County, robbing the community of their chance to weigh in on the matter. Because the county’s 287(g) agreements expose the plaintiffs to ongoing harm, the plaintiffs are asking the court to declare the agreements invalid. The case, Juntos v. Wyoming, was filed in the First Judicial District Court in Laramie County.

As the federal government continues to ramp up ICE operations, local police and sheriff’s departments are being converted into arms of its deportation machine – and they’re using 287(g) agreements to do it.

The need for legal observers is critical to deter unlawful governmental intervention at protests and document potential abuse of power as more and more people are making their voices heard by marching in the streets. That's why we're hosting a legal observer training in Laramie on Friday, June 5 at 6 p.m.

Our democracy works best when all eligible voters participate and have their voices heard. Here’s everything you need to know about casting your ballot this year.