Just part of a much longer article . . .
A Jackson newspaper announced that an ICE raid was taking place Friday in Jackson Hole, while it was still occurring. One former ICE official called it…
cowboystatedaily.com
Jackson Newspaper Gives Community A Heads-Up During Active ICE Investigation
A local newspaper announced an immigration arrest operation while it was ongoing Friday in Jackson Hole using information from a local sheriff, prompting some to criticize both entities over safety and security concerns.
The Jackson Hole News & Guide reported Friday that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials were active in the area that day, trying to execute 17 warrants on specific people in Teton County.
Spanish-language instructions on how to read the story in Spanish preceded the body of the online story.
The news about ICE was “according to Teton County Sheriff Matt Carr, who spoke with the News&Guide before noon Friday,” the outlet wrote, adding that Carr said ICE was still in the community at that time, but that he did not want to assist or impede it.
Though the story leads with Carr as its primary source, the sheriff told Cowboy State Daily on Monday that the Guide called him, and he merely confirmed to the outlet what others had told its reporters about the operation, which was becoming visible in the community.
Carr said he also wanted to give community members clarity about the “targeted” nature of the operation.
“I just confirmed (the information),” said Carr, adding that he didn’t seek to endanger federal agents by exposing their operation. “I fully support the mission of ICE to remove criminals out of our community.”
But he acknowledged that rumors about the operation can stir fears in Jackson.
“My goal was just to let the public know, ‘Yes, they’re here but they’re here for targeted individuals and it was not any sort of widespread roundup,” said Carr.
The sheriff confirmed that he was the person who told the Guide that ICE was executing 17 warrants, but he said he told the paper that information was “unconfirmed.”
What’s Happening In Our Community
As for the Guide, its editor in chief Johanna Love offered a brief statement in response to a list of questions emailed Monday morning.
Love pointed to the two stories the outlet published about the ICE operation, and said those were based on multiple sources: reports from the public, social media, tips and interviews with current and former law enforcement officers.
“We plan to continue reporting what’s happening in our community,” said Love.
‘Bullshit Still’
Former top ICE officials had differing reactions to the paper’s mid-operation announcement and the sheriff’s involvement in it.
One said it’s understandable for Carr to confirm the specifics of information already beginning to circulate and to lend clarity. The other cast Carr’s involvement as a security breach.
“But listen, that’s bullshit still,” said Scott Mechkowski, former deputy director for ICE’s New York office, after hearing Carr’s explanation that he was merely confirming and clarifying.
