The recent October 2025 swearing-in of 25 Laramie County Sheriff’s Department deputies as federal immigration officers under the 287(g) program represents a disturbing escalation of government overreach into our local neighborhoods. While Sheriff Brian Kozak frames this expansion as a necessary tool for public safety, Juntos Wyoming views it as an egregious attack on the social fabric of our community. By transforming local deputies into extensions of the federal deportation machine, the department is effectively eroding the community trust that is essential for effective law enforcement. When residents fear that a routine interaction with a deputy could lead to family separation, they are less likely to report crimes or cooperate with investigations, ultimately making Laramie County less safe for everyone. This move does not merely target the Latino community; it undermines the right of all residents to live in and contribute to a county that values harmony and dignity over unnecessary surveillance.
From a perspective that values the institutional stability of our labor force and the integrity of our families, this policy shift is fiscally and socially irresponsible. The immigrant community is the backbone of our communities, providing a vital labor force in Wyoming’s essential sectors. The economic data is undeniable: immigrant-led households in Wyoming hold nearly $709 million in spending power and contribute over $233 million in total taxes annually. By leaning into a racist anti-immigrant administration’s agenda, the Sheriff’s Department is threatening the very people who drive our economic resilience and support our public schools and infrastructure. Existing policies in Laramie County were already sufficient to protect public safety without the need for this federal entanglement. Diverting local resources to fulfill federal responsibilities is a betrayal of the local priority that Wyomingites traditionally hold dear.
This institutional shift toward systemic inequality disregards the successful history of our state, where hard-working families have co-existed for generations. The Warrior Spirit (Espíritu Guerrero) of Juntos Wyoming compels us to take an apology-free stance against this expansion of the police state. We recognize that these 287(g) agreements have a documented history of leading to civil rights violations and racial profiling, regardless of the verbal assurances given by law enforcement. Our community deserves a department that focuses on crime prevention and community policing rather than serving as a “force multiplier” for a federal agenda that prioritizes detention over human dignity. By participating in these agreements, the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office is actively choosing to become an accomplice to an inhumane deportation dragnet that seeks to profit off the separation of our neighbors.
We call upon the people of Laramie County to stand in Solidarity with their neighbors and reach out to Sheriff Kozak to voice their opposition to this overreach. It is time to demand that our local law enforcement return to their primary mission: protecting the neighborhoods and residents they are sworn to serve, rather than operating a “vacancy” sign for federal detainees. Juntos Wyoming remains committed to its mission to educate, organize, and advocate until every resident—regardless of their origin—enjoys the equality and respect they deserve in the Equality State. To our families who are feeling the weight of this increased scrutiny: You are not alone. We will continue to revive our Rapid Response Network and provide the Legal Clinics and resources necessary to protect our community against these unjust policies.
