Defying ICE: Opponents of Immigration Enforcement in Wisconsin Go on the Record

If defying federal immigration law is considered a top priority for elected leaders in Wisconsin, its citizens can know that a significant effort to resist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is being made. Whether it’s indifference to their own constituents, or an effort to appease the ‘New Americans,’ Democrat Governor Tony Evers and other officials in the state have made clear their intention to block—to the best of their ability—Trump’s goal of deporting illegals.

Immigrant rights groups and democrats in the state preemptively attacked the second Trump administration over his plans to deport illegals, and vowed to resist his efforts and thwart the mission of ICE. The whole country witnessed the level of defiance when Governor Tony Evers issued a memo last month pertaining to ICE.

On April 18 (Good Friday) Evers issued a memo to state employees explicitly instructing them on how to handle interactions with ICE. It could be summed up as “say nothing.”

State employees are commanded to notify their supervisor and call their Office of Legal Counsel and speak with an attorney. The memo concludes by noting that “state employees may not grant ICE or another agent access to any such data…” in reference to any information collected or maintained by the state. This message was met with criticism from Republicans, yet Evers is not backing down. He’s not the only one.

A bigger splash was caused by Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan who, in defiance of U.S. immigration law, attempted to shield an illegal alien from arrest by ICE. The FBI arrested Judge Dugan for hiding Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, an illegal from Mexico who was arrested for beating the crap out of his roommate. On May 13, she was indicted by a federal grand jury for obstructing a U.S. agency and concealing an individual to prevent arrest.

Not only was this incident bad enough, but the response from the Milwaukee community was also telling. In a statement released, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson noted the “big problem created by the federal approach to immigration enforcement.”

At least one other judge stood in solidarity with Dugan. Sawyer County Judge Monica Isham sent an email to all state judges, expressing “I have no intention of allowing anyone to be taken out of my courtroom by ICE and sent to a concentration camp…”

Across the state, views are mixed among cooperation with ICE. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and USA TODAY Network-Wisconsin surveyed the state’s 72 sheriffs on immigration enforcement. Only 56 responded and “many say they do not have the resources or capacity to assist in the new administration’s efforts.” In fact, only eight Wisconsin counties are participating in 287(g), a program designed to expedite the removal of illegals by allowing state and local agents to enforce immigration laws.

Jackson County Sheriff Duane Waldera has expressed disinterest in working with ICE, stating “That’s not our role on this issue.” While also adding “My stance is that immigration is a federal issue, and the federal government would have to address those issues.”

Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett is no longer cooperating with ICE. The county will “no longer provide the federal government with the names of former jail inmates who were believed to be undocumented immigrants.”

As it is at the national level, elected officials make outlandish statements in support of illegal aliens, immigrant communities, and in opposition to ICE. But perhaps the more pernicious criticisms come from the special interest groups agitating for change in their own way. Among them is the ACLU.

The Wisconsin ACLU has put out some egregious statements regarding ICE and local cooperation with this federal agency and compliance with U.S. immigration laws.

Senior Staff Attorney Tim Muth attacked the administration saying “Trump’s chaotic, unfair, and inhumane immigration policies will harm and destabilize Wisconsin's families, communities, and economy – especially in parts of Wisconsin where local law enforcement agencies collaborate with ICE.”

Muth added, “The reality is that cooperation with ICE makes our communities not only less welcoming to immigrants but also makes us all less safe.” Perhaps he is not considering some of the violent criminals removed by ICE, but this last statement is absurd.

Milwaukee nonprofit Voces De La Frontera held a rally in Madison to support immigrants in the wake of Judge Dugan’s arrest. An open borders group with six chapters in the state, Voces attracted thousands of participants. Several elected officials spoke, and Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett reaffirmed the sanctuary stance of Madison and Dane County.

Recounting the crimes committed by illegal aliens in the state would require far greater scope. There are plenty to report. Given the horrific nature of some crimes, including strangulation and murder, the cavalier attitude Wisconsin’s leaders and activists have towards illegal aliens—and the contempt they have for ICE—should cause concern for the people of the state.