Full Breakdown
Community Protests Teton County Sheriff's Cooperation with ICE
3/4/2026, 8:19:46 AM
Central Event: Policy Change Sparks Community Outcry
Since March 2025, Teton County Sheriff Matt Carr's department has transferred 140 individuals to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), leading to community frustration over the sheriff's cooperation with federal immigration authorities. This policy change allows the Teton County jail to hold detainees at ICE's request for up to 48 hours, even in cases lacking a judicial warrant. The shift followed a meeting between Carr and federal officers regarding the legality of honoring detainer requests.
Community Response and Protests
On February 28, 2026, approximately 35 individuals gathered outside the Teton County Jail to protest the sheriff's new policy. Craig Logan, an organizer from Teton County Indivisible, initiated a petition urging Carr to cease conducting immigration-related investigations during unrelated traffic stops and to stop holding undocumented immigrants without a judge-signed warrant. Logan noted that this was the first time his group had publicly opposed local immigration enforcement policies.
Eighty-nine-year-old Shirley Craighead expressed her concerns about the changing nature of the country, stating, “I feel that we can get it back, but we have to work at it.” Vanessa Chavarriaga Posada, an immigrant, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the increasing aggressiveness of ICE and its implications for constitutional rights.
Official Statements and Responses
Sheriff Matt Carr defended his actions, stating, “I took an oath to uphold state statute and that I am simply following the law.” He emphasized that the county has historically notified ICE when non-citizens are booked in jail. Teton County Commissioner Mark Newcomb acknowledged community concerns but noted that outreach regarding the issue has been limited compared to other county matters. He indicated plans to discuss the situation with Carr before deciding whether to bring it before the commission.
Criticism and Opposition
Critics of the policy, including local activists and residents, argue that the sheriff's cooperation with ICE undermines community trust and safety. They express fears that such policies could lead to increased targeting of immigrants and violations of civil rights. The protest turnout was lower than previous demonstrations, which some attribute to anxiety about confronting law enforcement directly.
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
While community members express significant concern regarding the sheriff's policy, there has been limited formal discussion among county commissioners about the issue. Newcomb noted that no commissioner has formally raised the topic, indicating a potential gap in addressing community concerns at the governmental level.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I’m here to try to get back my country,” — Shirley Craighead, Protestor
- “ICE is getting more aggressive, starting to target more US citizens and take away all of our constitutional rights,” — Vanessa Chavarriaga Posada, Immigrant
- “Carr told KHOL he took an oath to uphold state statute and that he is simply following the law.” — Sheriff Matt Carr
This ongoing situation in Teton County highlights the complexities of local law enforcement's role in federal immigration policy and the community's response to perceived overreach.
