A new law in Wyoming will make driver’s licenses issued to undocumented immigrants by other states invalid within the state’s borders.
Governor Mark Gordon allowed House Bill 116, also known as Driver’s Licenses – Unauthorized Alien Restrictions, to become law without his signature on Friday, February 28. The law will take effect on July 1.
Governor Gordon acknowledged that the legislation could carry unintended consequences, particularly for law enforcement and Wyoming’s participation in national driver’s license agreements. However, he ultimately let it pass, stating that Wyoming wanted to assert its stance on illegal immigration.
“Because of the value of asserting Wyoming’s position on illegal presence, I am allowing this bill to go into law without my signature,” Gordon wrote in a letter to House Speaker Chip Neiman.
The law was supported by a significant majority in both the House (52-6) and Senate (22-8), with lawmakers framing it as part of a broader effort to curb illegal immigration. It was backed by the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, which labeled it an “immigration accountability” measure.
One of Gordon’s primary concerns is the potential impact on Wyoming’s standing in the Non-Resident Violator Compact (NRVC), an agreement between 44 states and Washington, D.C. that ensures traffic violations committed in one member state are recognized and enforced in a driver’s home state.
Under NRVC, Wyoming officers can issue citations to out-of-state drivers without requiring them to post bond. If Wyoming invalidates another state’s licenses, it could create conflicts within the agreement and complicate law enforcement procedures.
“Being able to work together with our fellow states is imperative for the safety of all those on the road,” Gordon wrote. “This law could impact Wyoming’s ability to work with other states in this fashion.”
Some lawmakers raised similar concerns, questioning whether Wyoming should take actions that could disrupt its relationships with other states. Senator Ed Cooper (R-Ten Sleep) opposed the bill, citing these uncertainties.
“If law enforcement has an issue with somebody from out of state and they’re trying to see who the person is, without the compact, they may or may not be able to get it,” Cooper said.
Wyoming is now among the most restrictive states in the country when it comes to recognizing driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants. While 19 states and Washington, D.C. issue such licenses to undocumented individuals for public safety reasons—including reducing uninsured drivers—Wyoming will now consider them invalid.
Some undocumented individuals in Wyoming currently use driver’s licenses issued by other states. Under the new law, if they are stopped by law enforcement, they could face a misdemeanor charge, up to six months in jail, and a $750 fine—penalties similar to driving on a suspended license.
Law enforcement officials have stated that they will have discretion in handling these situations. Lt. Col. Karl Germain of the Wyoming Highway Patrol clarified that officers are not expected to impound vehicles or detain individuals solely for having an invalidated license. However, officers will check the immigration status of drivers using affected licenses, which could lead to further legal consequences if a driver is undocumented.
Gordon also raised concerns that the law could blur the line between state law enforcement and federal immigration enforcement.
“It is not immediately clear whether [the bill] places Wyoming law enforcement in an exposed role that is much more suited for the resources, training, and system of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE),” Gordon wrote.
While Wyoming officers have access to ICE databases, response times from federal agents can vary from minutes to days, raising questions about how officers should handle situations where a driver’s immigration status is unclear.
Representative Pepper Ottman (R-Riverton), a supporter of the bill, dismissed these concerns, stating that Wyoming officers can simply refer individuals to ICE rather than taking on immigration enforcement duties themselves.
Despite the concerns from the governor and some lawmakers, House Bill 116 will officially become law on July 1. Its full impact on law enforcement, Wyoming’s participation in interstate driver’s license agreements, and the state’s undocumented population remains to be seen.
Jackson Hole News&Guide, Wyo File, Cowboy State Daily, and Buckrail contributed to this report.
