In a landmark display of civic resilience, Juntos Wyoming recently hosted its 3rd Annual Capitol Collaboration Day, an event dedicated to uniting the state’s vibrant Latino, Hispanic, and communities of color within the heart of the legislative process. In a space that has historically felt exclusionary, this day served as a powerful reclamation of the “Equality State” narrative. Participants were not merely observers; they were active advocates, receiving intensive training from the Legislative Services Office on the tools of civic engagement before taking their concerns directly to the floor.
Blanca Infante, Program Director for Juntos, emphasized that the primary goal was to break the psychological barriers that often keep marginalized voices out of the Capitol. “Vean que es posible tener voz en espacios que normalmente son intimidantes,” Infante stated, reminding the community that their presence is a right, not a privilege. However, the success of the day was tempered by the urgent need to address the government overreach currently threatening the safety of Wyoming families. “Especially with everything happening around immigration and the 287(g) agreements, we want our representatives to hear that these policies are actually attacking our community and making it unsafe,” Infante added.
The event occurred against a backdrop of significant policy shifts. As of July 2025, several Wyoming law enforcement agencies—including the Wyoming State Troopers and the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office—signed onto 287(g) agreements with ICE. For Juntos, this represents a stark and disappointing departure from previous standards of community policing. Strategic research highlights a paradoxical shift in leadership: back in 2016, a “21st Century Policing Handbook” from the Cheyenne Police Department explicitly prohibited the consideration of immigration status when providing services and prioritized communication to improve trust with the Hispanic population. The current move toward federal entanglement contradicts these established best practices, replacing community trust with a culture of fear.
Despite these challenges, the Capitol Collaboration Day was a testament to the Warrior Spirit that defines Juntos. Voters sat in on House and Senate readings and visited directly with Capitol officials to voice their opposition to policies that exclude them from the state’s future. “It makes me sad because many of the reasons they give for signing these kinds of agreements are for security,” Infante reflected. “When in reality, we know they’re causing the opposite: they’re making our community feel afraid or excluded. But we want to work together to create a space where people feel included because, whether we like it or not, we’re part of this community.”
By providing the “gente” with the tools to speak to their senators and representatives, Juntos is ensuring that the social fabric of Wyoming remains intact. This Success Story is not just about a single day at the Capitol; it is about the long-term institutional defense of a community that refuses to be ignored. Through education and advocacy, Juntos continues to prove that in the halls of power, our families are never alone.
