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Teton County approves letter supporting H‑2 worker programs and issues press release supporting Hispanic residents
Summary
The county commission unanimously approved a letter urging congressional support for H‑2A and H‑2B temporary worker programs and a separate press release expressing support for the local Hispanic community while clarifying the county has no immigration‑enforcement authority.
The Teton County Board of County Commissioners on March 6 voted to send a letter to the county’s congressional delegation urging support for legal temporary worker programs — H‑2A for agricultural labor and H‑2B for tourism and construction — and separately approved a press release affirming support for the county’s Hispanic residents.
Commissioner Mike, who introduced the immigration item, said the county’s farms, construction firms and tourism businesses “are really the bulwarks of our local economy” and depend heavily on workers who come through legal guest‑worker programs. He told colleagues the letter asks Congress to “support and advance these programs that bring folks in legally to work in our local industries.”
Commissioner Brad said he supported the letter but emphasized it should not be construed as advocating for people who are in the United States illegally; he also said the county should affirm that every resident “should feel safe and cared about in our community.” During discussion another commissioner said the county should require that individuals who commit crimes be removed regardless of immigration status.
The motion to approve the immigration letter was amended on the floor to note that the county’s three mayors would sign on; commissioners accepted that amendment and approved the letter by voice vote.
Separately the board approved a press release “to honor our Hispanic community in a time of stress,” the draft of which clarifies that local government does not perform federal immigration enforcement and praises contributions of Hispanic residents, including cultural events. Commissioners asked that the release be translated into Spanish for distribution.
The board did not adopt any changes to county immigration enforcement policy; members repeatedly noted enforcement authority rests with federal agencies such as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The clerk will transmit the letter and the press release to the delegation and publish the county’s statement as approved.
