The Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors Committee Judiciary, Law Enforcement and General Services passed a resolution on a vote of 4-0 opposing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (USICE) operating and conducting arrests of alleged undocumented individuals inside the Milwaukee County Court House and Safety Building hallways.
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.
April 15, 2025
Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Tuesday, a press release by Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson says, that "The legislation calls for the Office of the County Executive, the Chief Judge of the First Judicial District, and the Milwaukee County Sheriffs Office to cooperate with one another to ensure everyone has access to services and to safeguard every individual's constitutional right to due process. The resolution further calls for Milwaukee County to support efforts to educate its residents on their rights and the appropriate actions to take during encounters with immigration authorities. Standing firm in its opposition to ICE operating outside the limits of the law in and around the Milwaukee County Courthouse Complex."
"The resolution was considered during the Committee Meeting on Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and General Services today April 15th, 2025. The resolution was passed four to zero with one abstention."
The resolution will now head to the full Board of Supervisors for approval, but it fell short from preventing or stopping USICE operations inside the Milwaukee County Court House and Safety Building hallways.
The Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors need to put some teeth (barrier) in the resolution by designating both the Milwaukee County Court House and Safety Building hallways as property of Milwaukee County and prohibiting USICE arrest operations inside the Milwaukee Coubty justice buildings without a judicial warrant signed by a federal judge and providing advance information to the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors, Milwaukee County Chief judge, the Milwaukee County Executive and the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office.
Both H. Nelson Goodson, a Milwaukee Civil Rights and Immigrant Rights advocate, and Jaime Alvarado, the State Director of LULAC Wisconsin agreed, that eventhough Milwaukee County is public property, it can prohibit non-county business from being conducted on the property...We want to stress that USICE administrative warrants are not legal binding to make arrests inside properties whether private, County or City, only judicial warrants signed by a federal judge with the exact name, date and address may be used.
"The resolution should include all Milwaukee County properties, which all County residents need to feel safe for seeking services at any County property, " says Alvarado.
Here's the Milwaukee County resolution #25-295:
By Supervisors Nicholson, Gómez-Tom, and Martinez File No. 25-295
A RESOLUTION
Affirming Milwaukee County's Dedication to Justice, Safety, and Access at the Milwaukee County Courthouse Complex
WHEREAS, every day, Milwaukee County residents come to the Milwaukee County Courthouse Complex to access essential services, seek justice through our legal system, and engage with elected representatives; and
WHEREAS, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported on April 4, 2025, that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested two people in the hallways of the Milwaukee County Courthouse and the Safety Building; and
WHEREAS, the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution, along with Section 7 of the Wisconsin Constitution, guarantee all persons the right to a fair trial and due process of law; and
WHEREAS, Wisconsin State Statutes § 59.17(2)(b)3. and 59.52(6)(b) provide the County Executive authority to "make all orders concerning county property," with the general exception of park lands, to "protect the interests of the county;" and
WHEREAS, Chief Judge Carl Ashley released a statement, "[Allowing ICE agents to operate within the Courthouse Complex] undermines the principles of justice, fairness, and equality before the law, and ultimately jeopardizes the rights of individuals seeking to navigate the legal process;" and
WHEREAS, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley stated, "An attack on this safe, community-serving space undermines public trust, breeds fear among citizens and staff, and disrupts the due process essential to our courts;" and
WHEREAS, all Milwaukee County residents, regardless of citizenship or immigration status, are affected by mass deportation efforts and anti-immigrant/immigration policies; and
WHEREAS, all Milwaukee County residents should know their rights and understand appropriate actions to take during an encounter with entities serving as immigration authorities; and
WHEREAS, uplifting safe and legal processes, along with educating Milwaukee County residents about their rights is consistent with Milwaukee County's vision to be the healthiest County in Wisconsin; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, Milwaukee County stands firm in its opposition to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operating outside the limits of the law in and around the Milwaukee County Courthouse Complex; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOVLED, Milwaukee County requests the Office of the County Executive, the Chief Judge of the First Judicial District, and the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office—within their respective jurisdictions and authorities—to cooperate with one another, in conjunction with the Office of Corporation Counsel and other relevant parties, to ensure access to services and safeguard every individual's constitutional right to due process; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, Milwaukee County supports efforts to educate its residents on their rights and the appropriate actions to take during encounters with immigration authorities, including—but not limited to—the dissemination of educational materials throughout the Courthouse Complex; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, upon adoption, the County Clerk is authorized and requested to deliver a copy of this resolution to the Office of the County Executive, the Chief Judge of the First Judicial District, and the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office.
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