19-year-old Deceased Crash Victim Identified As Daryl Brown, Vehicle Split In Half On Impact

Brown was speeding when he lost control, hit a curve, the vehicle then rolled over and slammed into a tree causing the vehicle to split in half on impact.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

July 18, 2017

Milwaukee, WI - On Tuesday, the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office identified Daryl Brown, 19, as the deceased victim involved in a vehicle crash near W. Fond du Lac and W. Roosevelt in the Northside of Milwaukee. According to the medical examiner's report, Brown was speeding in an excess of 75 miles per hour in a 30 MPH zone when he lost control of his Lexus around 4:00 p.m. on Monday and rolled over, then his vehicle struck a tree, which the impact split the vehicle in two. Brown died at the scene and an empty beer bottle was found under his body and a liquor bottle near the vehicle.

Brown was not wearing a seat belt at the time and he was driving without a valid license, according to police. Brown was the sole occupant in the vehicle.

The medical examiner ruled the death as an accident caused by blunt force trauma.

Milwaukee Police Commission Restores Protections For Undocumented Foreigners

Police officers in Milwaukee will not request legal status from foreigners when they come into contact while doing traffic stops, domestic calls and investigations.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

July 13, 2017

Milwaukee, WI - On Thursday, the Fire and Police Commission (F&PC) on a 7-0 vote decided to amend and restore the former Police Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) protections for undocumented immigrants that prohibited police officers from asking for legal status, also provided an oversight and accountability for abuse including changing the rules to allow the F&PC to review any new policy from the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) on time.

At City Hall in Milwaukee, hundreds of members of the Latino community, Voces de la Frontera (VDLF), a local LULAC Council, Acción Ciudadana de Wisconsin and allies gathered at the Milwaukee F&PC hearing to support changes for the lack of transparency and information that Police Chief Edward Flynn and Mayor Tom Barrett failed to provide when they approved the MPD SOP on June 21, 2017 authorizing police officers to act like immigration agents and ask for legal status when in contact with suspected foreigners being stopped and investigated for certain violations and criminal histories. Police had been authorized to contact ICE to let them know where those with non-legal status were located. The MPD SOP policy went into effect on July 6th.

VDLF released the following press released, "Thursday's vote amended new MPD policies implemented on July 6th that had been passed with no community input or meaningful oversight by the F&PC, which is charged with overseeing significant changes to police procedures. The changes would have increased collaboration with immigration agents. The F&PC's vote followed public outcry after the changes were revealed. Voces de la Frontera, the League of Latin American Citizens - Wisconsin, and Aldmeran José Pérez worked with the Mayor's Office, the F&PC, and the MPD to ensure the protections were restored."

Mayor Barrett who had approved the MPD SOP policy along with Chief Flynn allowing cops to ask for legal status released the following statement after the F&PC amended the policy to restore undocumented foreigner protections and for police to use discretion in contacting ICE, but would first have to inform a police supervisor. Barrett stated, "I am pleased with the action taken tonight by the members of the Fire and Police Commission. The national changes to immigration policies and the tenor of the immigration debate have left many of us concerned about our Milwaukee neighbors and families. We cannot allow fear and apprehension to cloud the daily lives of people who have chosen Milwaukee as the place to make a better life for themselves and their families.
Milwaukee is a City built by immigrants and a City that continues to grow strong because of our immigrant population. I want to thank the Fire and Police Commission, Chief Flynn and Assistant Chief Harpole, State Representative JoCastaZamarripa, Alderman Jose Perez and members of Milwaukee’s Hispanic Community for tonight’s resolution."

Video: On Thursday, Luz Sosa, the community organizer for Acción Ciudadana de Wisconsin translated in Spanish at the Fire and Police Commission (F&PC) hearing on Milwaukee Police Department Standard Operating Procedure policy for the Latino Community. The policy was amended by the F&PC to restrict police officers from asking for legal status. https://youtu.be/3GqYH6UcGto

Milwaukee Police Department Standard Operating Procedure For Immigration Enforcement Policy

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett betrayed the Latino community in the City of Milwaukee by approving new immigration enforcement duties for Milwaukee police officers, which will now act as immigration agents without training or partnering with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) 287(g) program.

By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

July 12, 2017

WI: The City of Milwaukee sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice regarding the June 21, 2017 approval by Police Chief Edward Flynn of policy for the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for immigration enforcement compliance. Policy went into effect on July 6, 2017.
MPD revised its SOP to comply with federal immigration laws and the September 2, 2016 USDOJ Byrne/JAG grant of $457,884.50 of its shared award of $937,932 for the City of Milwaukee, City of Waukesha and Milwaukee County. 

Article links: Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett Says It's Not Immigration Enforcement, But MPD Indicates It's Immigration Enforcement Strategy  http://bit.ly/2tqk433


Milwaukee Police Department Taking 8-months For U Visa Certification Involving Victims Of Crimes  http://bit.ly/2uYXAWd

(Source: Hispanic News Network U.S.A.)

Immigrant Friendly Resolution For Justice And Dignity Passed By Village Of Shorewood In Wisconsin

Shorewood Board voted unanimously to pass resolution to welcome everyone regardless of immigration status to the village.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

July 11, 2017 

Village of Shorewood, Wisconsin - The Board of the Village of Shorewood on Monday passed an immigrant friendly resolution on a 7-0 vote with added amendments of wording with local community support. Attorney Carlos R. Pastrana addressed the Shorewood Board and spoke in favor of the resolution.
"Resolution for Justice and Dignity" was sponsored by the Shorewood Solidarity Network, which included the support by members from Acción Ciudadana de Wisconsin, Shorewood residents and allies.

Full video of Village of Shorewood Board meeting regarding Resolution for Justice and Dignity at link: https://youtu.be/GKCNsQl8m4Y

Jose Luis Marquez-Marrero Charged With Four Felonies For Riverwest Crash Totaling Two Vehicles

Marquez-Marrero, the alleged driver of a stolen 2014 Camry who ran a red light and crashed into a 2011 Suburban is facing up to 57 years in prison, if convicted of four felony counts.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

July 10, 2017

Milwaukee, WI - Jose Luis Marquez-Marrero, 32, who was arrested for driving a stolen 2014 Camry and crashing into a 2011 Suburban while speeding and failing to stop at a red light in the Riverwest neighborhood in June is facing up to 57 years in prison and fines in total of $145,000, if convicted for four felony counts. Marquez-Marrero totaled both vehicles. 

Marquez-Marrero was charged on June 23 with four felony counts, 1st count, armed robbery with threat of force (40 years in prison and up to $100K in finrs); 2nd count, 2nd-degree endangering safety (10 years in prison and up to $25K in fines); 3rd count, vehicle operator fleeing and eluding an officer (3 years and 6 months in prison and up to $10K in fines) and 4th count, driving vehicle without owner's consent (3 years and 6 months in prison and up to $10K in fines). 

Marquez-Marrero's bail was set at $25,000 and will appear in court for a scheduling conference on July 13 at 8:30 a.m., Milwaukee County Courthouse room 634, according to court records.

The stolen 2014 Camry was connected to the assault of its owner in Milwaukee's Southside. Two Latino men robbed the owner of the 2014 Camry who was parking his vehicle and also beat him, then stole his wallet and other items. 

The owner of the 2011 Suburban which was also totaled released photos to Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) of the crash scene and vehicles.

Milwaukee Police Department Taking 8-months For U Visa Certification Involving Victims Of Crimes

It shouldn't take 8-months for the Milwaukee Police Department to certify a U Visa request that a victim has cooperated in a criminal investigation.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

July 9, 2017

Milwaukee, WI - Today, the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) in Wisconsin under Police Chief Edward Flynn takes up to 8-months for U Visa (Form I-918, U Nonimmigrant Status) request certification that a victim has aided an investigation of a crime. The delay to quickly certify such U Visa requests by the MPD could result in the deportation of a undocumented victims of a crime.

The U.S. Congress approved a U Visa for victims of a crime to cooperate in criminal investigations without fear of deportation. Sometimes the MPD has even denied U Visa certifications to victims of a crime, Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) has learned.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett Says It's Not Immigration Enforcement, But MPD Indicates It's Immigration Enforcement Strategy

Milwaukee Mayor Barrett's office released the Milwaukee Police Department Standard Operating Procedure, which indicates it's an immigration enforcement strategy or in reality immigration persecution.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

July 5, 2017

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Wednesday, the Milwaukee mayor's office released the Milwaukee Police Department Standard Operating Procedure (MPDSOP), which indicates a new policy initiative aimed at immigration enforcement without partnering with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) 287(g) program, according to Mayor Tom Barrett's press release. Barrett in a press release statement that "The City's policy has been and will continue to be that it does not enforce immigration laws. That is the role of the government...immigration enforcement is not part of that effort...Milwaukee will not seek to have its officers deputized to enforce immigration laws under the federal 287(g) program..."

The MPDSOP Policy (A) indicates that "It shall be the policy of the Milwaukee Police Department to implement an immigration enforcement strategy that is consistent with the mission for reducing the levels of crime, fear, and disorder in the city of Milwaukee."

Police will be allowed to seek legal status from suspected gang members, those arrested for a misdemeanor involving the possession of a dangerous weapon, a terrorism act, offense involving entry or fraudulent assimilation of undocumented foreigners into the country and a previous deported felon. Police can contact ICE and will turn over suspected individuals or immigrants to the feds.

The MPD says the SOP is targeted at reducing fear, but in reality it will cause fear from immigrants who will avoid any contact with police to report a crime for fear of being detained as undocumented foreigners and turned over to ICE for deportation. Also the MPDSOP opens the door for officers to illegally profile immigrants, and criminals will also target immigrants simply because they will believe such crimes committed against the undocumented, especially sexual assault of female immigrants won't be reported to police for fear of being detained and deported.

Mayor Barrett says it's not immigration enforcement, but according to the MPDSOP, it's immigration enforcement strategy, in other words the MPD will engage in immigration persecution, according to immigration rights activists.

A demonstration and press conference was held on Wednesday at City Hall by Voces de la Frontera, an immigrant and workers right organization, and the a local LULAC Council. They opposed the new MPDSOP policy.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (MJS) reported on Wednesday that Attorney Marisabel Cabrera who is also a Milwaukee Fire and Police Commissioner had stated that the city attorney had requested a MPDSOP policy change to comply with federal immigration laws. Cabrera wrote in an email to the MJS that, “This entire process has been intentionally secretive and undemocratic and completely undermines the (commission’s) statutorily granted powers,” Cabrera said in an email, “On top of that, it was an unnecessary and borderline malicious exercise as the (policy) was never out of compliance.”

Cabrera and other commissioners were informed that they would get an opportunity to review the policy before being implemented, but later Cabrera discovered that the policy had been already approved by the city attorney, Mayor Barrett and Police Chief Flynn. Steven DeVougas, the Chairman of the Fire and Police Commission had also signed it into policy without notifying the other 6 members of the commission, which Cabrera had questioned the lack of transparency process and legality.

Update: http://bit.ly/2szNElt Facebook video link for the July 7, German Sánchez interview with Christine Neumann-Ortiz, the executive director from Voces de la Frontera (VDLF). Neumann-Ortiz told Sánchez during interview in minute 13:31 that Alderman José Pérez first learned about the MPD Standard Operating Procedure (MPDSOP) policy that authorized Milwaukee police officers to act as ICE agents 9 days before Wednesday's (July 5) press conference at City Hall and Ald. Pérez contacted Neumann-Ortiz and Darryl Morin from LULAC who began to negotiate with Mayor Tom Barrett a Democrat to withdraw the MPDSOP policy. They knew about the MPDSOP policy change the Monday before the Madison Rally against AB190/SB275 on June 28.
Also, the cities of Madison and Whitewater have similar SOP policies like Milwaukee.
Today, the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) in Wisconsin under Police Chief Edward Flynn takes up to 8-months for U-Visa request certification that a victim has aided an investigation of a crime. The U.S. Congress approved a U-Visa for victims of a crime to cooperate in criminal investigations without fear of deportation. Sometimes the MPD has even denied U-Visa certifications to victims of a crime, Hispanic News Network U.S.A. has learned.

Here are all the links to documents and the City of Milwaukee letter sent to USDOJ on MPD SOP immigration enforcement policy provided courtesy of Voces de la Frontera http://bit.ly/2sNY2pT