Bill Description

AN ACT relating to immigration; establishing offenses related to the transportation, concealment or hiring of illegal or unauthorized aliens; providing penalties; requiring the verification of citizenship status for public benefits as specified; requiring the attorney general and each county sheriff to negotiate with federal agencies concerning immigration as specified; specifying requirements for communicating information related to immigration status; specifying requirements for the determination of immigration status for inmates; requiring documentation concerning citizenship for the issuance of driver's licenses and identification cards; providing and amending definitions; requiring reports; specifying applicability; requiring rulemaking; and providing for effective dates.

Notes

SF124 helps Wyoming deal with the challenges posed by a porous national border that have been rippling across our nation.  It takes decisive action  to protect our economy, public services, critical infrastructure and national security.  This is accomplished by measures that empower law enforcement, require employment verification, and ensure that public benefits are reserved for legal residents. Importantly, the bill explicitly mandates enforcement without regard to race or ethnicity, focusing on fairness and accountability rather than targeting individuals.

Specifically, SF124 declares that:

- No person shall transport, move or attempt to transport or move in the state of Wyoming any alien knowing that the alien has come to, entered or remained in the United States in violation of law, in furtherance of the illegal presence of the alien in the United States.

- No person shall conceal, harbor or shelter from detection any alien in any place within the state of Wyoming, including any building or means of transportation, knowing that the alien has come to, entered or remained in the United States in violation of law.

- Each peace officer detaining a person for the issuance of a citation or the arrest of a person shall ask the person regarding the person's immigration status or lawful presence in the United States.

 

- No law enforcement agency in the state shall adopt a policy, rule or procedure that prohibits peace officers from asking about a person's immigration status.

 

- Upon determining that a person is an unauthorized alien as defined by W.S. 9‑25‑101(a)(iv) or if the lawful immigration or citizenship status of a person cannot be verified after detaining or arresting the person, the peace officer or the law enforcement agency shall notify the United States department of homeland security or the United States immigration and customs enforcement. Upon providing notice under this subsection, the detaining law enforcement agency shall continue to detain the person in accordance with law until the United States department of homeland security or the United States immigration and customs enforcement assumes custody of the person or proof of the person's lawful status in the country is provided.

 
- Each employer in the state shall inquire as to a potential employee's or contractor's immigration status before commencing the person's employment or entering into a contract with the person for the provision of services.

- Each employer that discovers or learns that a person employed or contracted by the employer is an unauthorized alien shall report the unauthorized alien's status to state or local law enforcement, federal law enforcement or the United States immigration and customs enforcement.

- Each agency or local government of this state shall verify the lawful presence in the United States of any person age fourteen (14) or older who has applied for a state or local public benefit or a federal public benefit from a state agency or local government.

By passing this legislation, we uphold the values of fairness, security, and accountability that define us as a state. Let’s send a clear message: Wyoming stands for lawful immigration, strong borders, and a secure future for all its citizens.

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