Conflicting Records on Detainer Compliance
Albany County Sheriff Aaron Appelhans stated he has not authorized his department to coordinate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for extended custody holds, directly contradicting agency records that claim otherwise.
Appelhans said in a statement that he does not honor detainers because the federal agency does not provide judge-signed warrants or orders required by law. "As sheriff, I have not authorized coordination with ICE for extended custody holds or immigration enforcement because they cannot provide the mandatory legal and constitutional documents," Appelhans said.
Appelhans disputed the accuracy of an ICE list alleging his office had honored such requests in the past. "I don’t know what they go into on ICE’s side of what they feel is honored or not … but no, we haven’t held anybody for ICE past whatever the extended period for local charges has been," he said.
According to an ICE spokesman cited by Cowboy State Daily, Appelhans’ office honored detainers from 2021 through 2024. The agency specified that six detainers were honored in 2021, one in 2022, two in 2023, and seven in 2024.
ICE further stated that Appelhans notified the agency in April 2025 that he would no longer honor detainers and has not done so since that notification.
Political Dispute in Albany County Race
The disagreement over immigration enforcement protocols has become a central point of contention in the high-profile general-election contest between Appelhans, a Democrat, and Republican challenger Daron Wyatt.
Wyatt accused Appelhans of providing shifting answers regarding his office’s cooperation with federal immigration officials. Wyatt argued that Appelhans is prioritizing politics over public safety, noting that the only change in policy since Appelhans previously honored detainers was the change in president at the federal level.
Wyatt contended that not honoring ICE detainers is counterintuitive to community safety. He argued that refusing holds brings ICE into the community for street operations rather than allowing them to take custody of individuals in a controlled jail environment.
State Law and Regional Precedent
The dispute occurs against the backdrop of Wyoming state law passed in March 2025, which bans cities, towns, or counties from implementing policies that restrict officials from communicating or cooperating with federal immigration officials. ICE-style detainers of up to 48 hours have not been outlawed in the state.
Appelhans noted that other sheriffs in Wyoming reportedly honor ICE detainers. This includes Teton County Sheriff Matt Carr, who is a Democrat.