JACKSON, Wyo. — Upwards of 150 people attended a Chamber of Commerce “Business Over Breakfast” event on Thursday morning focused on how recent executive orders concerning immigration issued by President Trump could affect businesses and lives in Teton County.
Then, on Friday, Feb. 7, agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) were confirmed to be present in Jackson.
Presenters on Thursday included Chamber President and CEO Rick Howe, immigration attorney Elisabeth Trefonas, Jackson Police Department (JPD) Chief Michelle Weber, Teton County Sheriff Matt Carr and Teton County School District Superintendent Gillian Chapman. The presenters noted repeatedly that the immigration landscape in the U.S. is rapidly changing, sometimes day to day, and that their comments applied only to the situation as it stood on Thursday.
Howe kicked off the event with opening remarks, in which he shared that an estimated 40% of the Jackson workforce are immigrants.
“We are a community that embraces the migrant worker,” Howe said, later adding, “We want to follow law and follow policy to have a great workforce.”
Immigration lawyer Trefonas followed, sharing practical advice for business owners regarding how to legally handle visits from ICE agents, whom she said are often not wearing uniforms. Trefonas and Sheriff Carr both discussed the vital distinction between being presented with a warrant (which is signed by a judge and lists both a court location and a case number) and being presented with a different kind of document from ICE, known as a civil detainer, which is not criminal in nature (at the time of publication). Local law enforcement is mandated to enforce the warrants.
Sheriff Carr and Chief Weber both expressed that their focus was on keeping the community safe and functioning.
“JPD enforces only local city ordinances and Wyoming state statutes, not federal immigration laws,” Weber said. “JPD does work with Immigration and Customs on cases involving criminal activity.”
Another point emphasized by multiple speakers was the importance of ensuring that employees who drive to work all possess valid driver’s licenses. Weber directed attendees to visit JPD’s website with a Q&A section specific to immigration, available in both English and Spanish.
Dr. Chapman emphasized that, under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), school district employees cannot share student information with anyone other than a parent without parental consent.
“Schools are a safe place for kids,” Chapman said. “And, by federal law, we are not allowed to obtain or collect immigration status for our students or for their parents, and, frankly, it doesn’t matter to me. Any student that comes to our school district has the right to a free education.”
Trefonas added during the Q&A portion that minors can be detained, and that her youngest client is 5 years old.
