On Monday, October 19, the Jackson Town Council voted to adopt a resolution in support of our immigrant community. This comes just three weeks after the Teton County Board of Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution of its own. 

Two levels of local government have now put their support for the immigrant community of Jackson on the record, and that’s worth celebrating. These resolutions reflect so much more than one group’s opinion and instead show a shared value that all people should be treated with equal respect and dignity, regardless of immigration status. 

More than 110 community members shared their voices with the Council in person, on Zoom, and in writing. A survey created by WIAP provided a channel for over 90 people to be heard, many of whom had never spoken at a public meeting in Jackson before and who face language barriers in doing so. Together, those contributions made an incredible showing. 

The resolution welcomes immigrant residents as integral members of the Town of Jackson and recognizes their contributions to our culture, civic life, and economy. It affirms the Town’s commitment to dignity, due process, and equal protection under the law. It also expresses a commitment to strengthen trust between residents and the Jackson Police Department, recognizing that public safety is stronger when all residents can report crime without fear of arrest or detention based solely on immigration status. 

Like the county’s resolution, it is a statement of values, not a change in law. It won’t stop ICE from carrying out operations or change immigration policy. What it does is tell our immigrant community, publicly and officially, that they belong here and that their town stands with them. 

Thank you to the Mayor and Councilors for listening to your community, and to every person who took the time and had the courage to speak up. 

You can read the full resolution in English here:

You can read the full resolution in Spanish here:

This is a moment to celebrate. Thank you for being part of it.

Following input, hours of work, and the action of so many people in our community, the Teton County Commissioners vote 5-0 to pass the resolution.