JACKSON, Wyo. — On Monday morning, the Teton County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) unanimously approved the adoption of a resolution in support of the local immigrant population.
Six community members stood up to give public comment backing the resolution, which does not carry legal force. At the BCC’s Sept. 15 meeting, 16 people gave public comment in an attempt to push the Board to discuss a resolution with language in solidarity with the foreign-born community. County staff and Commissioners worked to draft a resolution and placed it on Monday’s agenda.
“Now, therefore it be resolved that, the Board of County Commissioners supports immigrant residents as integral members of the community, welcomes and encourages them to live, work, and study in Teton County, and recognizes them for their contributions to strengthen the County’s economy, culture, and civic life,” the resolution reads. View the document in its entirety below.
Wyoming Immigrant Advocacy Project (WIAP) Executive Director Emily Gomez previously told Buckrail that a resolution will not stop federal immigration enforcement activity or bring about immigration reform. However, she believes it is a way to commit to being transparent, respectful, and intolerant of hate, discrimination and harassment.
After taking public comment, the BCC opened its own discussion. See what the Commissioners said about the topic:
Chairman Mark Newcomb: “For my part, this is truly about the dignity of everyone who is living in the community. Just ensuring that everyone feels safe, no matter who they are, to participate fully in the community as a community member.”
Vice-Chairman Wes Gardner: “I’m really proud to be part of a community that is vocally stepping up and in. I have to admit that I’ve learned along the way, and I appreciate that opportunity. One of the phrases that … Evelyn used [during public comment] was: ‘The immigrant community is uncertain about whether they’re welcomed here.’ … It gave me a sense of why we’re doing this. It’s not to provoke, but it’s to support.”
Commissioner Luther Propst: “It saddens me that here we are in 2026, and the community and this board feel compelled to adopt a resolution that talks about our commitment to the equal treatment of all people. I was hoping that we’d be beyond this at this point. But it’s clear that nationwide, we’re not.”
Commissioner Natalia Macker: “I hear the call strongly to approve this, and I think it does exemplify what our community, in really hard times, has so often done, which is to show love instead of hate, and not return the ugliness around us with anything other than compassionate care and connection.”
Commissioner Len Carlman: “To our immigrant community of all languages and points of origin: Can we live together with mutual respect for each other, with dignity? Si, se puede.”
