Laramie County Sheriff Seeks Dismissal of Lawsuit Over Immigration Enforcement Contracts
Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak has petitioned a judge to dismiss a lawsuit questioning three agreements his office established last year to assist the federal government in enforcing immigration laws.
Background of the Lawsuit
Last month, a coalition of churches, nonprofit advocacy organizations, and barbershops, led by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), filed a lawsuit against Kozak and the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office regarding their 287(g) agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The plaintiffs are seeking to invalidate these agreements, which enable local and state law enforcement to enforce certain immigration regulations under ICE’s supervision.
Claims Against Sheriff Kozak
The lawsuit alleges that Kozak and his office failed to adhere to required legal procedures and exceeded their authority when entering into these contracts. The complaint claims that as a result, the plaintiffs are experiencing financial strain and other resource challenges.
Sheriff’s Legal Defense
In response, Casper attorney Amy Iberlin, representing the sheriff, contended that the lawsuit is fundamentally flawed due to the plaintiffs’ failure to meet notification requirements as dictated by the Wyoming Government Claims Act. Additionally, the legal team asserts that the plaintiffs “lack standing,” indicating they do not have sufficient legal basis or injury to bring the case forward.
Details of the Immigration Agreements
ICE operates three types of contracts: Jail Enforcement Officers, Warrant Officers, and Task Forces, which empower local law enforcement agencies to conduct immigration enforcement and broaden the scope of federal oversight. Notably, the task force model—regarded as the most controversial—was reinstated in 2025 by the Trump administration after being phased out in 2012 during the Obama administration.
Kozak’s Office and ICE Agreements
Kozak’s office is one of only two law enforcement agencies in Wyoming, alongside the Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office, that holds all three types of agreements with ICE. Since October, the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office has arrested over 400 immigrants as part of its efforts to enforce immigration laws under Section 287(g).
Potential Further Legal Actions by the ACLU
Following the lawsuit’s filing, the ACLU made records requests to other Wyoming law enforcement agencies participating in 287(g) agreements, aiming to gather information on how those offices entered into contracts with ICE. ACLU Senior Attorney Andrew Malone noted during a virtual public forum that the organization is evaluating whether similar procedural mistakes exist in those agencies.
Malone indicated that if the investigation yields actionable findings, the ACLU may pursue additional legal challenges. He affirmed, “If we receive a favorable judgment and determine that other counties fail to comply with the proper processes, we will certainly consider filing cases elsewhere.”
