Gordon Sends Wyoming Guard to Help ICE — But Says They Won’t Be Making Arrests

Governor Mark Gordon has signed off on sending up to 15 Wyoming National Guard members to work alongside US Immigration and Customs Enforcement — though he insists they won’t be out making arrests.

According to the governor’s office, the Guard will handle administrative, logistical, and transportation tasks so ICE agents can focus on law enforcement operations. The mission, expected to start within 30 days, comes after US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth authorized up to 1,700 Guard members across 20 states to provide similar support under federal law. Gordon stressed the Wyoming contingent will remain under his command while on the job.

The Guard is no stranger to teaming up with other agencies. In recent years, it’s helped with wildfire response, flood relief, search and rescue, medical evacuations, and counter-drug operations. This assignment, Gordon’s office says, fits that tradition of “interagency cooperation.”

But not everyone sees it that way. The ACLU of Wyoming blasted the move, arguing it blurs the line between military and civilian law enforcement and could spread fear in immigrant communities.

“Most people detained by ICE in Wyoming last year didn’t have a criminal record,” said ACLU state director Libby Skarin. “Deploying the Guard will only heighten fear — we’ve already seen it keep people from concerts, grocery stores, and work. This will drain resources and devastate communities.”

Skarin accused Gordon of “wasting Wyoming tax dollars” and failing to represent all Wyoming residents, “including immigrants.”

For now, the Guard’s orders are clear: support ICE from behind the scenes, not on the front lines. But the optics — and the fallout — are already sparking debate.

The original story by Ron Richter for Sheridan Media.