A bill that would make it illegal for people in the United States unlawfully to drive in Wyoming — even if they have a license issued by another state — sailed through a House committee Friday.
House Bill 116 would invalidate driver's licenses and driving operating privilege cards issued by other jurisdictions to “unauthorized aliens,” or people in the United States illegally. Those found driving illegally in Wyoming could be charged with a misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail.
The bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Pepper Ottman, R-Riverton, said she’s most concerned about the issue of valid identification and believes her bill will establish a hard stance that someone must use an ID that’s accepted in Wyoming to access services.
“It’s to make sure anyone driving in Wyoming or voting in the state of Wyoming using a Wyoming driver’s license as identification meets the criteria for that,” she said.
That includes illegal immigrants, with how to manage them becoming a hot-button political issue and a major theme of the recent presidential election.
The National Conference of State Legislatures reports that 19 states, including Colorado and Utah, have enacted laws that allow undocumented people to get driver’s licenses, while other places have designated their municipalities as sanctuary cities that welcome these people.
Some states give illegals licenses referred to as “driver privilege cards,” noting on the identification card they are only eligible for driving privileges, Wyoming Highway Patrol Lt. Col. Karl Germain told the committee.
If the bill becomes law, he said law enforcement would be charged with looking for that identifier as evidence that an undocumented person is driving illegally in Wyoming.
Wyoming has not taken any of these steps and this legislative session lawmakers are taking steps to actively oppose illegal immigration in the state.
“Now it’s time for states like Wyoming to fight back,” Ottman said. “The importance of a move like this is very determined.”
The House Corporations, Elections and Political Subdivisions Committee passed HB 116 on an 8-1 vote with only Rep. Mike Yin, D-Jackson, voting against.
Yin said he tries to infuse kindness into every act he makes in the Legislature, which he believes HB 116 falls short of doing, although he does believe illegal immigration is a problem in America.
“With regard to how we treat the people here now, regardless of their immigration status, do we leave them out in the cold? And it gets cold here,” Yin said. “Is that who we are in Wyoming?”
SF 116 provides exemptions for non-U.S. citizens, but only those who have been given a lawful license in another state if Wyoming doesn’t have the same requirements for its license. Wyoming does not give driver’s licenses or IDs to people who aren’t legally living in the U.S.
Ottman said her bill wouldn’t add any additional requirements for law enforcement, and also would serve as an additional layer of protection in elections.
Secretary of State Chuck Gray supports the bill, saying it sends a clear message that illegal immigrants are not welcome in Wyoming for any purpose.
Sticky Wicket
One of the biggest potential issues with the bill that went unresolved Friday was how international tourists visiting Wyoming would be treated if they got pulled over in the event the bill passes.
Germain said there’s no easy way to quickly check someone’s citizenship status in a roadside pull-over, and the only way to truly know if someone is in the country legally would be to run an immigration inquiry.
Yin questioned how easy the bill would be to enforce without going through an extensive process to determine someone’s immigration status. A typical immigration check takes 15-30 minutes, Germain said, and is similar to a standard criminal history check.
“That would be time added to the traffic stop,” he said.
People visiting Wyoming from abroad are typically asked for a passport when pulled over, Germain said, and use a driver’s license from their country of origin to operate the vehicle they’re driving. In these instances, Germain said the officer treats the license like a valid Wyoming license.
What makes matters tricky, he said, is there are times when people illegally in the U.S. have valid driver’s licenses from their native countries. He said these people are usually identified with a few basic questions.
“Every interaction is going to be different,” Germain said.
The committee did not add any amendments to the bill or express any deep concern about this potential issue.
Wyoming Highway Patrol Lt. Col. Karl Germain testifies for the House Corporations, Elections and Political Subdivisions Committee about House Bill 116 on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025. (Matt Idler for Cowboy State Daily) 
State Rep. Mike Yin, D-Jackson, was the only no vote on House Bill 116, which would ban illegal imigrants from driving in Wyoming, even if they have a valid license from another state. (Matt Idler for Cowboy State Daily)
Pitfalls
Deacon Mike Leman of the Diocese of Cheyenne said when people start discussing illegal immigration in America, it becomes more of an abstract issue, separated from the actual people impacted by it.
He expressed concern about how the bill would impact people already living in Wyoming and their ability to drive.
Antonio Serrano, advocacy director for ACLU of Wyoming, said the only thing Ottman’s legislation does is send a message that Wyoming is against immigrants, who he believes make up an important part of the state’s fabric.
He also questions the bill’s legality and said it disrespects other states’ laws. He also expressed concern about the effect the bill could have on tourism, Wyoming’s second biggest industry.
“This bill will dissuade potentially millions of our neighbors from visiting our beautiful Wyoming,” he said.
Rep. Tony Locke, R-Casper, sees the bill as the beginning of a process to address people not living legally in Wyoming.
“I think this is a good first step to start down this process and gives the department the right to put some rules in place to make sure lawful people are here and lawful people are on our highways and roads,” he said.
There are a few other bills in play this session that attempt to prevent illegal immigrants from accessing services or protection in Wyoming.
One would require proof of U.S. citizenship when people register to vote. Another would establish offenses related to the transportation, concealment or hiring of illegal or unauthorized aliens. A bill brought by Rep. Joel Guggenmos, R-Riverton, would ban sanctuary cities, counties and state government in Wyoming.
Leo Wolfson can be reached at leo@cowboystatedaily.com.
