(The Center Square) – Wisconsin lawmakers are moving ahead with a plan to require sheriffs across the state to work with federal immigration officials.
An Assembly panel held a hearing on the plan Wednesday, and Sen. Julian Bradley, R-New Berlin, wants sheriffs in Wisconsin work with ICE officials, and flag people in the state who are here illegally and who have committed crimes.
“This proposal will make it easier to remove dangerous criminals from our communities,” Bradley said at the hearing. “It’s shocking to think that a handful in law enforcement and in our government would rather protect felons than work with our federal partners to stop the flow of crime and drugs into our neighborhoods.”
Many sheriffs in the state already do, but some do not. Most notably, Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett has made it clear in the past he will not work with federal immigration officials.
“It is not the state legislature’s role to dictate how law enforcement does its job,” Barrett said in a statement. “Public safety decisions should be made by those who understand the complexities of policing and the unique needs of our communities.”
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said Dane County’s public resistance to immigration enforcement is one of the reasons why state lawmakers have to step in with a new mandate.
“The failure of a few sheriffs to cooperate with ICE affects the safety of residents in surrounding communities,” Vos said.
Democrats at the hearing made it clear that they don’t support the idea.
And Gov. Tony Evers has said he will veto the proposal if it makes it to his desk.
