Letter to the Editor: County should not enter agreement with ICE

Dear editor:

In reference to the front-page article in the Greybull Standard, the Lovell Chronicle, and the Basin Republican Rustler entitled “Big Horn County mulls proposals from ICE” or a similar headline.

I have always been a strong supporter of our local first responders. I am concerned about the effect on the reputation of our local law enforcement if they enter into an agreement directly with ICE. It could easily be interpreted as condoning ICE actions.

“If you lie down with dogs, you will get up with fleas.”

ICE is a group of masked, unidentified agents (they are not police) who have publicly stated they are above the law. They maintain they can forcibly enter private residences without a judicial warrant or even probable cause. The vice-president of the United States has said they have absolute immunity. 

Their actions demonstrate they believe they have the power of judge, jury and executioner arresting and detaining US citizens and transporting them to distant holding facilities without the basic protections afforded under U.S. Constitution. Even to the point of executing US citizens for what would normally be considered misdemeanors. And then trying to block any investigation of the incidents from state or other federal authorities.

There are hundreds of videos showing ICE agents taking actions like repeatedly kneeing restrained people in the face, teargassing infants, lobbing tear gas into crowd of peaceful protesters, and terrorizing innocent people who not even involved in the protests; actions that are unlawful and would result in discipline or firing from most law enforcement agencies, including those in Big Horn County.

Criminal undocumented immigrants can be turned over to the proper authorities for deportation; it does not require a contract with ICE.

I don’t think there is a single lawman in Wyoming who is such a coward that he has to come to work in a mask with no identification. 

Wyoming’s State Code is “The Code of the West”; it should not be for sale to the highest bidder.

I really hope Big Horn County does not appear to endorse ICE tactics by entering a contract with them.

Steve Helburn

Greybull