First State Agency Partners with ICE Under 287(g)

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Wyoming became the first state agency to partner with ICE under the 287(g) program, marking a historic breakthrough in the fight against illegal immigration that could inspire other states to follow suit.

Story Highlights

Wyoming Highway Patrol enters groundbreaking agreement with ICE, becoming first state agency in 287(g) program
Governor Mark Gordon leverages Trump’s executive order to strengthen immigration enforcement along major interstate corridors
Select troopers from five counties receive federal training and database access at no cost to taxpayers
Partnership follows Wyoming’s previous support for Texas border operations and signals growing state-federal cooperation

Historic State-Level Immigration Partnership

Governor Mark Gordon announced Wyoming Highway Patrol’s entry into ICE’s 287(g) program in July 2025, establishing what appears to be the first state-level partnership under the 287(g) program for immigration enforcement. This agreement grants select WHP officers limited authority to enforce federal immigration law under ICE supervision, becoming the first state-level agency to join a program that has historically involved county and municipal law enforcement. The partnership represents a significant victory for immigration enforcement advocates who have long pushed for expanded state involvement in federal border security efforts.

Strategic Enforcement Along Critical Corridors

Wyoming’s interstate highways, particularly I-80, serve as major cross-country transportation corridors that which the Wyoming Highway Patrol and ICE officials have identified as potential routes used in immigration-related offenses. The 287(g) agreement specifically targets these strategic locations through the “Task Force Model,” allowing trained troopers to access ICE databases and coordinate enforcement actions during routine patrol duties. This approach is intended to improve coordination with federal agencies while operating under ICE oversight, addressing concerns about unlawful activity along Wyoming’s transportation networks without requiring additional state funding.

Limited Rollout with Federal Support

The initial implementation involves one to two troopers from each of five counties—Laramie, Carbon, Sweetwater, Natrona, and Campbell. According to the Wyoming Highway Patrol, ICE will provide all training and access to federal immigration databases at no cost to Wyoming taxpayers. WHP Administrator Col. Tim Cameron emphasized the narrow scope of the troopers’ authority under the agreement, stating in an interview with Oil City News that “these officers will be granted limited and clearly defined federal authority, and they will operate strictly under ICE supervision.” ICE Denver Field Office Director Robert Guadian described the collaboration as a “force multiplier,” explaining that partnerships like this help extend federal enforcement capabilities without additional government expenditure.

Building on Trump Administration Momentum

This partnership builds directly on President Trump’s January 2025 executive order that enabled the Department of Homeland Security to forge broader agreements with state and local authorities. Wyoming previously demonstrated its commitment to border security by sending troopers to assist Texas at the southern border, establishing a foundation for this formal federal partnership. The agreement positions Wyoming alongside Florida as early adopters of state-level immigration enforcement, a move that could influence how other states engage in immigration enforcement, according to DHS and state officials.

Governor Gordon emphasized the national security implications, stating that “effective immigration enforcement” remains essential for the nation’s security. The agreement represents a practical response to immigration challenges that extends federal enforcement capabilities while respecting constitutional boundaries and maintaining proper oversight. This measured approach addresses conservative concerns about government overreach while delivering concrete action on immigration enforcement priorities that resonate with Wyoming voters and constitutional principles.