Committee advances immigration enforcement bill with $1 million LSRA appropriation after public opposition

Senate File 124, a bill that would expand circumstances under which Wyoming peace officers may inquire into a person’s immigration status and includes a $1,000,000 appropriation from the Legislative Stabilization Reserve Account (LSRA) to the Attorney General’s Office for reimbursements and anti‑terrorism training, received extensive public comment and was given a do‑pass recommendation by the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Senator Sherry Steinmetz (Senate District 3), the bill’s sponsor, gave a brief overview and said the measure had been highly amended; the public‑benefits provisions had been removed and language was added to allow law enforcement to inquire about immigration status when they have “reasonable articulable suspicion” before asking and to permit review of status when booking individuals charged with crimes.

Antonio Serrano, advocacy director for the ACLU of Wyoming, testified in opposition. “This bill would have a huge impact on families in Wyoming,” Serrano said, arguing the measure would harm trust between immigrant communities and local law enforcement, discourage crime reporting and likely invite costly litigation. He cited litigation in another state on a similar law and warned of fiscal exposure.

Other public commenters echoed concerns about racial profiling, burdening local law enforcement and potential chilling effects on victims and witnesses. A University of Wyoming student, Sofia Gomelski, said the bill “would burden Wyoming’s local law enforcement…with duties that are outside of their expertise” and called the proposed fiscal note insufficient for required training. Heather Becerra, a Pine Bluffs resident, described a personal example she raised during testimony: her husband, a U.S. citizen, was once denied the ability to vote because he could not produce documentation proving citizenship while voting registration officials would not accept photocopies.

Sponsor Steinmetz told the committee the bill’s tracked language had been developed with law‑enforcement stakeholders and sheriffs’ associations and that the appropriation is intended to reimburse local agencies for expenses not covered by federal partners and to fund anti‑terrorism training.

Senator Garupe offered an amendment to delete the $1,000,000 appropriation. The committee voted on the amendment; the motion to delete the appropriation failed. On the final roll call for Senate File 124 the committee recorded: Senator Driscoll — No; Senator Garupe — No; Senator Larson — Aye; Senator Smith — Aye; Chairman Salazar — Aye. The committee reported the bill as due pass.

Committee members and witnesses asked staff and sponsor to consider drafting possible floor amendments addressing funding sources, training and statutory mechanics before floor consideration.