"This was a victory:" MPD amends controversial immigration enforcement policy

MILWAUKEE -- Immigrant rights group Voce de la Frontera is celebrating what they call a victory Thursday, July 13th -- albeit a small one. The Milwaukee Police Department reversed its controversial amended policy on immigration enforcement. This, after public outcry that the original changes were made behind closed doors and would lead to more crime and fear in the community.

Chanting in Spanish, "yes we can," hundreds of community members gathered in the lobby of City Hall to rally in support of immigrants rights.

"This was a victory that we had to win," said Voces de la Frontera Executive Director, Christine Neumann-Ortiz.

Voces de la Frontera Executive Director, Christine Neumann-Ortiz, announced to the crowd that the community and the Milwaukee Police Department have reached an agreement to restore protections for immigrants in the city.

"Everyone is right now breathing a sign of relief that the City of Milwaukee is standing with immigrants," said Neumann-Ortiz.

Last week, Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn added new language to the department's immigration enforcement policy. The department says the changes were necessary to comply with the rules of federal grants. Critics say the process was done without the public's input.

"It was done in secret and it could have resulted in real harm, real incidents of discrimination, fear among immigrants of reporting crimes, and the break up of families here in the City of Milwaukee," said Neumann-Ortiz.

At Thursday's Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission (FPC) meeting, Assistant Chief James Harpole outlined several amendments to the already-amended policy. For example, the line, "police officers shall inform federal immigration officials" is now changed to, "police members shall use discretion consistent with federal law."

"That's important because we added another level, we added another decision-making mechanism into that particular section of the policy.

The FPC voted to adopt the amended policy, but had a stern message for Flynn.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett released the following statement on the meeting:

The policy goes into effect immediately.