(Fort Washakie, WY) – On Thursday morning, August 28, a photo showing a group of camo-clad law enforcement agents stopped on the side of the road in Fort Washakie began circulating on social media, leading to rumors that it was depicting a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)/National Guard operation.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Denver Field Office, and the Eastern Shoshone Tribe confirmed with County 10 Thursday afternoon that those reports are false.
The photo shows about 10-15 law enforcement agents and their vehicles on the side of the road, with the iconic Fort Washakie rock sign in the background. The photo started being shared on social media Thursday morning, leading to speculative reports and rumors that the group was involved in an ICE/National Guard operation.
This speculation likely stems from recent announcements informing that Governor Gordon approved the activation of Wyoming National Guard personnel to assist in ICE operations, as well as an assistance agreement between the Wyoming Highway Patrol and ICE.
Vikki Migoya with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Denver Field Office, promptly shared the following statement in response to the rumors.
“FBI agents are currently conducting court-authorized law enforcement activities in and around the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming,” the FBI’s message informs. “This is not related to immigration enforcement efforts.”
County 10 reached out to representatives from the Eastern Shoshone Tribe, who also confirmed as much.
“The Eastern Shoshone Tribe is aware of reports that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or the Wyoming National Guard may be in Fremont County. According to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Wind River Police Department, the FBI Safe Trails Task Force (STTF) is on site. This is not ICE or the National Guard.”