(The Center Square) – Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said Friday that border czar Tom Homan’s Thursday comments about arresting those who harbor illegal immigrants represents a “concerning trajectory in this country.”
Homan was asked about a Wisconsin Department of Administration memo asking state employees not to answer questions from federal agents, give access to systems or information, and to call the state Office of Legal Counsel if approached.
Homan responded that “if you cross that line of impediment or knowingly harboring and concealing an illegal alien, that is a felony. And we are treating it as such.”
Now, Evers says that Homan mischaracterized the memo and that “chilling threats like this should be of concern to every Wisconsinite and every American who cares about this country and the values we hold dear.”
“In this country, the federal government doesn’t get to abuse its power to threaten everyday Americans,” Evers said in a video statement. “In this country, the federal government doesn’t get to arrest American citizens who have not committed a crime. In this country, we don’t threaten to persecute people just because they belong to a different political party.”
Homan’s comments came after a group of 41 Wisconsin Assembly Republicans sent a letter this week to Evers requesting that he rescind the memo.
Evers did not comment on that request or if he would rescind its content.
“We now have a federal government that will threaten or arrest an elected official – or even everyday American citizens – who have broken no laws, committed no crimes, and done nothing wrong,” Evers said. “And as disgusted as I am about the continued actions of the Trump Administration, I am not afraid. I have never once been discouraged from doing the right thing, and I will not start today.”
The back and forth comes after Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan was charged with obstruction of a federal proceeding and concealing an individual to prevent discovery or arrest. Dugan is accused of concealing Eduardo Flores Ruiz, who was previously deported and came back to the U.S. illegally, where he was facing charges in Milwaukee of domestic battery and abuse.
The obstruction charge could lead to up to a $100,000 fine and a year in prison while the second concealment charge can lead to up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Dugan has been temporarily replaced on her cases as she awaits her May 15 pre-trial hearing on a pair of charges.
