Immigration, deportation in Wisconsin; Republican plan stirs up debate

GOP plan for deportation in Wisconsin

FOX6 News learned about a Republican plan that would put local sheriffs in a tight spot.

MILWAUKEE - The battle over immigration and deportation heats up in Wisconsin. FOX6 News learned about a Republican plan that would put local sheriffs in a tight spot. 

Republican proposal

What we know:

With deportations ramping up across the United States, Wisconsin Republicans now plan to introduce a new immigration bill. 

Republicans say it would apply if there is someone in the jail charged with a felony. The sheriff's office would have to verify that person is in the country legally. If they cannot, the GOP proposal would require the sheriff's office to alert federal immigration agents. 

Under the proposal, if the sheriff does not report that information, the county would lose 15% of its state aid known as shared revenue. For Milwaukee County, in particular, that could be a more than $5 million penalty.

Lawmakers weigh in

What they're saying:

"This targets criminal immigrants who have committed felonies, serious crimes," said State Rep. Jim Piwowarczyk (R-Hubertus).

"So the idea that we’re going to punish sheriffs if they don’t comply, that’s just wrong-headed. They’re part of our society, they’re doing a lot of great work, and if we mess around with this, and dance Donald Trump’s dance, our economy in Wisconsin will go right down the tubes," said Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D).

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"This is not a public safety bill. Public safety bills do not threaten to withhold funding from already cash-strapped law enforcement agencies," said Jack Eckblad, Milwaukee County Supervisor.

"The fact we have some law enforcement officers out there at the county sheriff level that believe this is not their job, is frankly unbelievable to me," said State Rep. Tyler August (R-Walworth). 

Milwaukee County impact

Local perspective:

The Milwaukee County sheriff in 2019, Earnell Lucas, said his office would no longer share information about inmates with federal immigration agents unless there was a judge's warrant. 

The new Republican proposal would also require counties to comply with what's called an administrative warrant, from U.S. Homeland Security, which is different from one signed by a judge. 

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Right now, when someone is booked into the Milwaukee County Jail, inmates self-report their birth country and citizenship.