The squatter problem isn’t limited to coastal states like California and New York anymore—Wyoming and states across the country are grappling with unlawful occupancy that ties up homeowners in lengthy legal battles and leaves properties damaged. Wyoming is the latest state to push legislation giving homeowners and law enforcement clearer authority to remove squatters. The bill, approved 10-4 by the state legislature’s Joint Judiciary Committee and now heading to the state Senate floor, would make squatting that involves property damage a felony offense punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Perhaps more importantly, it would allow property owners to call law enforcement to remove “unauthorized residents” from their properties—a power currently unavailable to most homeowners, who are told by police to pursue the matter in civil court.
The bill was sparked by a terrifying and costly experience faced by Casper, Wyoming realtor Ronna Boril. After evicting a lawful tenant for nonpayment, Boril returned to what she thought was a vacant property and heard footsteps upstairs. When she investigated, she found a man at the top of the stairs, who demanded to know who she was. When she identified herself as the owner, five more men suddenly appeared from throughout the house, claiming they had a lease—though they could not produce any paperwork. Boril told them she would return with police in the morning. But both the local police and sheriff’s department refused to help, telling her she would have to pursue the matter in civil court. When she returned the next morning with assistance, the squatters were gone—but they had destroyed the property. “The place was trashed—filthy clothing, filthy mattresses, needles and drug paraphernalia everywhere,” Boril told Fox News Digital. The cleanup cost between $15,000 and $18,000.
Joseph Cammarata, partner at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, provided expert legal analysis on the Wyoming bill to Fox News Digital, supporting its core intent while raising important concerns about property rights protection. “You have people that are breaking the law, and they don’t belong there,” Cammarata stated. “Your home is your castle, and it’s being invaded by other people, and you want them out, and they should be out regardless of who they are.” He rejected arguments that special considerations should be given to squatters simply because they may be homeless: “I’d ask those people, can they move into your house and see how you like it?”
However, Cammarata identified significant problems with specific provisions in the bill. The legislation would grant complete immunity to police officers involved in removing squatters—a provision Cammarata views as excessive. “It would provide complete immunity to the police so that if they got involved in removing a squatter, they would not be responsible in any shape, way or form for any harm caused to either the homeowner or the squatter,” he explained. “To me, if you were to ask me, I think that goes too far in terms of providing absolute immunity to police. They know how to act. They know how to handle themselves within constitutional protections.” Additionally, Cammarata questioned the bill’s requirement that homeowners pay sheriff’s fees for removal assistance. “Homeowners in exercising their rights and calling on the police would have to pay for the police. And if that is true, I think the legislature forgot that the homeowner already paid for the police as part of their taxes to provide safekeeping to the community at large.”
Cammarata also expressed skepticism about the $10,000 fine as an effective remedy. “The $10,000 that the squatters have to pay? Yeah, well, first of all, try and collect it. You could make it $100,000 – it’s a piece of paper. They wouldn’t be living in your place if they weren’t homeless.” While the fine may serve symbolic purposes, Cammarata noted that practical enforcement against individuals without resources presents obvious challenges. Despite these concerns, the bill addresses a real and growing problem, with squatters affecting property owners across Wyoming—in Casper, Cheyenne, Gillette, and Sheridan.
Property owners facing squatter problems need experienced legal counsel familiar with their state’s laws and the remedies available. For property rights, real estate, or civil litigation matters, contact us to discuss your case with an experienced attorney.
