Wyoming ACLU Blasts Gordon Order On Guard Assisting ICE

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The Wyoming American Civil Liberties Union [ACLU] is not pleased with Governor Mark Gordon's decision to have Wyoming National Guard members lend a hand to the federal agency in charge of immigration enforcement.

The governor on Wednesday issued an order for the Wyoming National Guard to support the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement or ICE agency by helping with administrative and logistical duties. The guard will not be directly involved in apprehending people for violating immigration laws.

ACLU Leader Calls Decision "Shameful"

ACLU of Wyoming Executive Director Libby Skarin on Wednesday evening issued a statement which included the following:

''The ACLU of Wyoming opposes the use of military forces for domestic immigration enforcement. Deploying the Wyoming National Guard blurs the line between the military and civilian law enforcement and raises serious concerns about potential abuses of power.

"Gov. Gordon’s assertions that this authorization is in pursuit of public safety strains credulity and is at odds with what’s happening on the ground and what data shows. Recent reports have shown that most of the people detained by ICE in Wyoming over the last year do not have any criminal record. In addition, the fear among immigrants and their loved ones across Wyoming is palpable. We’ve seen this fear lead to empty outdoor concerts, families going without groceries and valuable employees being too terrified to show up to work. Heightening this fear by mobilizing the National Guard will continue to drain resources and contribute to even more devastation in our communities.''

Skarin went on to call Gordon's decision "shameful" and said it will 'terrorize Wyoming communities."