Do federal license plates mean ICE is in town? The answer is hard to track

Journalists, sheriff’s office, legal experts have no confirmation of ICE raids despite recent rumors, but are on alert.
A screen grab from a video posted by Alicia Unger on Facebook approaching a vehicle with federal license plates outside The Lodge at Jackson Hole. (Alicia Unger / TODO TV, Tripadvisor)

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In the wake of President Donald Trump’s inauguration, group chats have been flooded with images and videos of vehicles with federal license plates, spotted outside hotels and grocery stores in Jackson and Driggs. 

Then came the rumors the vehicles belonged to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

That’s according to Todo TV reporter Alicia Unger, who tried to confirm the rumors for herself.  

Earlier this week, Unger posted a video on Facebook of her approaching a vehicle with federal license plates outside The Lodge at Jackson Hole.

“Is it something that the immigrant community should worry about?” Unger can be heard asking a man standing beside the vehicle. 

Responding “no,” the man then told Unger he worked for the Wyoming Military Department, a branch of both the Governor’s office and the Wyoming National Guard. He said he was in Jackson for “cold weather training.”

Alicia Unger (Courtesy of Alicia Unger)

Joseph Coslett, a spokesperson for the Wyoming Military Department confirmed that the 84th Civil Support team was training with local search and rescue officials over the weekend. 

Coslett said the National Guard isn’t currently working to enforce ICE orders in Wyoming.

But that could change with an executive order from the president or governor. 

“I’m not the right person to say ‘never,’” Colsett said, referencing the department’s work enforcing immigration. “Will we in the future? I don’t know.” 

Coslett confirmed that the vehicles use federal license plates because they are both part of a federal and state agency. 

Though ICE’s presence has not been confirmed, Unger said immigrants must not “lower our guard.”

“It is important as an immigrant community to stay prepared,” she said. 

ICE raids have already begun in several U.S. cities including Denver, Chicago, Newark, New Jersey and many in Texas. 

In Teton County, Unger wasn’t the only one to hear the rumors. 

“We continue to receive reports, but we haven’t been able to confirm them,” said Milessa Ortiz de Jesús, a paralegal at Jackson-based immigration specialist Trefonas Law. 

Teton County Sheriff Matt Carr said in a text that he had not heard of ICE’s recent presence in Teton County. If federal immigration agents were in town, he said, he typically receives a heads-up. 

In conversations with other immigrants, Unger said, fear dominates. 

“They’re very nervous. Very scared,” Unger said.  

She has of heard kids telling their parents to stay inside. 

“It’s very sad to hear that a kid has to go to school concerned, not that they’re going to be taken by ICE — but that they may go back to home and they won’t find their parents,” she added. 

In her reporting, Unger recommends those who are worried avoid driving, which risks traffic stops and identification checks, and to keep calm.

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About Jenna McMurtry

Jenna McMurtry joins KHOL from Silverthorne, Colorado where she picked up radio at the state’s NPR affiliate Colorado Public Radio. Before making the move to Jackson, she briefly called California home while attending Pomona College and studying History. Outside the newsroom, she’s probably out earning her turns on the skin track, listening to live music or working on an art project.

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