Wyoming’s new law makes out-of-state licenses invalid for undocumented immigrants, with up to 6 months in jail

For years, debates around immigration and identity documents have pulsed at the heart of policy discussions, particularly on the open road. Across the nation, some states grant the driving licenses to residents regardless of their immigration status—part of a broader push for public safety, ensuring that those behind the wheel are tested and insured. But not all states have embraced this inclusive approach. Instead, a countertrend is hardening, as some policymakers shift gears toward more exclusionary groundwork.

Immigrants with no ID

This trend has accelerated amid rising polarization over enforcement and sovereignty. Advocates of tighter rules argue that recognizing such licenses could undermine state authority and potentially burden law enforcement. Critics, however, argue that stripping legal driving privileges only pushes undocumented drivers into the shadows—raising risks not just for them, but for all road users, as they lose access to training, licensing, and insurance.

The shift from licensing to restriction is now underway in a western state known for its expansive highways and conservative priorities. Legislation recently cleared the path to nullify out-of-state driving licenses held by certain categories of drivers, redefining who may legally operate a vehicle across state lines.

New immigration-related laws for driving licenses

With new immigration-related laws taking effect this month, law enforcement in Jackson and Teton County is still trying to understand how enforcement will play out — especially under the Wyoming House Bill 116, which directly targets undocumented immigrants with out-of-state driving licenses. This law, now active in the state, essentially invalidates driver’s licenses issued by other states to undocumented immigrants.

That means someone who obtained a license legally elsewhere could face misdemeanor charges for driving without a valid license once they cross into Wyoming. The potential penalties are steep: up to six months in jail, a $750 fine, or both. On top of that, anyone arrested under this law may face a 48-hour hold for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at a county jail.

Expert opinion on the new measure

Rosie Read, an attorney and founder of the Wyoming Immigrant Advocacy Project, has called it the strictest driving license law of its kind in the country – more severe than similar measures passed in states like Florida. According to her, the law doesn’t just impact travel – it’s creating real fear. She has received calls from people across the state, some unsure whether they can legally drive at all. Many of those affected carry licenses from Washington, a state that doesn’t require proof of immigration status to obtain one.

Rep. Pepper Ottman, the Riverton Republican who sponsored HB 116, framed the bill as part of a broader effort to counter what she described as sanctuary policies around the U.S. Ottman said states that allow undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses are creating safe havens that contradict federal immigration law.

Many immigrants work in housekeeping, landscaping, and construction — jobs that require commuting to properties outside city limits, often in areas with no public transit. She gave examples of work sites along Fall Creek, Fish Creek, or at the Amangani resort, which aren’t easily accessible by bike or bus.

Changes in ICE operations

Teton County’s own approach to ICE holds has changed recently. As of March, the Sheriff’s Office began honoring all 48-hour ICE detainer requests, regardless of whether they’re signed by a judge. Previously, the office would only comply with judicial warrants.

Now, any noncitizen flagged by ICE agents can be held long enough for federal agents to arrive from the Denver Field Office, which oversees the region. When it comes to enforcing HB 116 specifically, both the Jackson Police Department and Teton County Sheriff’s Office admitted they’re still unsure how to proceed.