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"We're Not Saying ICE Can't Operate..."
Wisconsin’s governor is offering a different explanation of the memo that tells state of Wisconsin employees not to cooperate with immigration officials.
The governor once again on Wednesday described the memo from DOA deputy secretary Anne Hanson as ‘legal advice.’
“All I’m saying is the people that understand, state employees are doing work. They're doing good work. And we're asking our attorneys that work in every agency to be with them. Simple as that,” the governor told a reporter in the Fox Valley.
That’s a far different tone than the memo.
“Do not answer questions, including when an agent asks about someone you know or presents a warrant with an individual name,” the DOA’s guidance stated. “Remember that every state employee has a duty to protect confidential data and information collected or maintained by the state of Wisconsin in State offices and electronic filing systems. Because of this, state employees may not Grant ice or another agent access to any such data or information absent authorization from their legal counsel pursuant to a valid judicial warrant.”
“ICE can do what ICE wants to do,” Evers added. “We’re not saying ICE can’t operate.”
The governor’s change of heart comes less than a week after the FBI arrested a Milwaukee County judge on charges that she defied ICE, and helped an illegal immigrant escape her courtroom.
Evers has decried that judge’s arrest. Republicans in Wisconsin say the governor is putting state employees in a potentially bad spot where they may be arrested as well.
Evers said that’s nothing but politics.
“For the Republicans who go crazy on this, it’s absolutely ridiculous,” the governor said. “They just want to make a thing out of this.”
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