League of Women Voters Dane County hosts immigration issues forum

(DANE COUNTY, WISCONSIN) The League of Women Voters of Dane County brought immigration to the center of local public life with a packed LWVDC forum on September 9, 2025, as community leaders, legal experts, and residents examined how national decisions and state politics are reshaping daily life for immigrant families in Madison and across Dane County. In a candid discussion moderated by Gail Bliss, panelists explained how recent immigration policy shifts—from the suspension of Temporary Protected Status to a new Supreme Court ruling—are raising the stakes for thousands of people who live, work, and study here.

The forum featured three widely respected voices: Christine Neumann-Ortiz of Voces de la Frontera, Professor Armando Ibarra of UW–Madison, and attorney Aissa Olivarez of the Community Immigration Law Center. Their message was plain: the legal ground is moving fast, and the effects are close to home for anyone following Dane County immigration issues. From workplace rules to traffic stops to court hearings, policy choices in Washington and the state Capitol now carry direct consequences for local safety, the economy, and civil rights.

Scope and scale: cases, detention, and legal representation

Speakers described a system under strain. As of April, Dane County had 3,392 pending immigration cases, second only to Milwaukee County in Wisconsin, and only about 1,000 of those cases had lawyers. That means roughly two-thirds of local immigrants facing removal or related hearings are going to court without counsel.

National context amplifies the local challenge: detention has swelled to about 60,000 people, up from 9,000 in 1996, and only 30% of detainees nationally are able to find legal representation. For families with kids in local schools and parents in front-line jobs, the risk of stepping into court alone is not abstract—it can determine whether a family stays together.

Recent federal actions and local effects

The forum unfolded against a backdrop of fast-changing federal action. Effective April 24, 2025, the Trump administration’s suspension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) undercut work authorization and protection from removal for an estimated 530,000 people nationwide. TPS has been a key shield for survivors of disasters and conflict; the loss of renewal options has left many stuck between expired documents and long waits for legal advice.

Attendees said the shift has fueled fear in workplaces and schools and pushed people toward local organizations that are already stretched thin.

Another pending federal change is a new travel ban expected to restrict travel from certain regions. Though details remain scarce, the possibility alone has created confusion about trips abroad, family visits, and the risk of being blocked at the border on return. Immigrants in Dane County reported weighing essential travel—such as visiting a sick parent—against serious risks.

More shock waves came from the U.S. Supreme Court. In a decision discussed at the forum, the Court ruled that ICE agents can stop individuals based on race, language, or occupation. Panelists warned this ruling will invite racial profiling and compound civil rights concerns already present in many communities. For a county with diverse immigrant neighborhoods, a routine drive to work, a school drop-off, or a trip to the grocery store might now feel unsafe for some.

State politics and county responses

These national developments are meeting state-level fights over cooperation with federal enforcement. Wisconsin Republican lawmakers are drafting bills to penalize counties that do not follow all ICE detainer requests, including threats to withhold state aid. Governor Tony Evers has promised a veto, but the debate alone heightens uncertainty.

Local officials warn that penalizing counties for following constitutional standards will chill community trust and discourage crime victims and witnesses from speaking up.

One agency at the center of that debate has already changed course. The Dane County Sheriff’s Office has:

• Pulled out of the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP), ending data-sharing on undocumented residents in exchange for federal funds.
• Stated they will contact ICE only with a judicial warrant.
• Committed not to hold people past their scheduled release date.

Officials describe this as a public safety approach focused on local law and court orders—not federal requests without a judge’s signature.

Important: The Sheriff’s Office policy shift is intended to build trust so victims and witnesses feel safe reporting crimes without fear of automatic immigration enforcement.

Economic impact

Economics took a front seat at the LWVDC forum. Dane County relies on immigrant labor, and speakers stressed that removing workers would quickly ripple through the local economy.

Key figures:
– Immigrants in Wisconsin paid $2.2 billion in federal taxes in 2023.
– They paid $1.2 billion in state and local taxes in 2023.

Professor Ibarra explained that losing workers in core, year-round sectors—especially jobs without clear visa paths, like dairy—would drive up prices and strain businesses already struggling to hire. Effects would show up in higher food costs, longer wait times, and reduced services.

Calls for reform and immediate policy priorities

Christine Neumann-Ortiz framed the situation as both a class and legal issue. She highlighted reports of detention center pay as low as $1 per hour for detainee labor and called for “broad, simple, and affordable immigration reform.” Her priorities include:

• Allowing driver’s license access regardless of status in Wisconsin.
• Stronger family unity protections.
• Clear judicial standards for any cooperation with immigration enforcement.

She argued that easy, affordable reforms would help families come forward, stabilize, and benefit the wider community.

Attorney Aissa Olivarez focused on legal access and the consequences of biased stops. She warned that the Supreme Court’s ruling will increase the risk of arrest and removal for noncitizens and citizens of color. With only a fraction of detainees represented by counsel, many people miss defenses they are legally allowed to raise—such as asylum claims, family-based relief, or long-time residence protections.

Olivarez urged:
– More funding for legal aid.
– Stronger community education on rights, including the right to remain silent and the right to ask for a lawyer.

Role of the Dane County District Attorney’s Office

The Dane County District Attorney’s Office has tried to counter fear by reinforcing its role as protector for all victims, regardless of status. The office plays a key part in certifying U visa applications for victims of qualifying crimes who assist law enforcement—often survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or other serious harm.

• Victims start by seeking local certification from the DA’s office, then apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services with Form I-918, Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status.
• The petition is available on the USCIS website here: Form I-918.

DA officials stress they do not enforce immigration law and warn that mass deportations would damage public safety by driving people into the shadows.

Practical advice from the forum: safety, rights, and planning

The LWVDC forum emphasized education on how immigration law works and how residents can avoid mistakes with harsh consequences. Panelists explained:

• Immigration law is separate from criminal law, with different evidence rules, courts, and timelines.
• People with pending cases often must attend hearings months or years apart; missing a notice or court date can lead to an order of removal.
• In mixed-status families, one parent’s error can affect the whole household.

Panelists advised residents who fear an encounter with immigration agents to:
1. Keep a plan with family and neighbors and know emergency contacts.
2. Know your rights and carry key phone numbers.
3. Practice simple safety steps: stay calm, ask if you are free to leave, and refuse to sign documents you don’t understand.
4. Require officers to show a judicial warrant before opening the door.

They noted workers with early shifts and long commutes are more likely to face traffic stops—now more fraught with the Supreme Court decision.

Ongoing state legislative debates

State lawmakers continue debating how far local governments should go in cooperating with ICE. Proposals to penalize “sanctuary” communities—i.e., counties requiring judicial warrants—would:

• Reduce state funding for counties that decline to honor ICE detainers lacking a judge’s order.

Supporters say uniform cooperation is necessary to enforce federal law; opponents argue compliance without a warrant violates constitutional protections and undermines public safety. Governor Evers has said he will veto such measures; nevertheless, the legislative fight signals continued turbulence.

Sector-specific impacts and long-term outlook

Professor Ibarra linked political battles to everyday costs. In dairy, for example, year-round visas do not exist for many required roles. When workers leave or face removal, farms cut output and prices rise across the market. These impacts appear in grocery aisles, school lunch budgets, and small business margins.

Dane County also stands out for a higher-than-average share of naturalized immigrant citizens, which affects schools, tax bases, and civic life. Analysis by VisaVerge.com finds federal enforcement shifts often land hardest in counties like Dane that have both long-settled immigrants and new arrivals.

Immediate steps urged by advocates

Neumann-Ortiz urged actions that can be taken now:
– Expand driver’s license access regardless of status.
– Pass local family unity measures to keep parents available for school, medical visits, and court dates.
– Limit interactions with ICE unless a judge orders it.

Olivarez urged funders and donors to support legal aid and pro bono projects, especially for detained people, because counsel dramatically improves outcomes.

The DA’s Office echoed the call for trust-building and encouraged victims to seek help early. They provide bilingual staff, explain how to request U visa certification, connect people with advocates, and ensure interpreters are available.

Practical checklist for residents (from panelists)

• Do not answer questions about immigration status; you have the right to remain silent.
• Ask to speak with a lawyer before signing anything.
• Do not open the door to officers unless they show a judicial warrant with your name and address.
• Keep copies of key documents and emergency contacts in a safe place.
• Talk with your children about who will pick them up if a parent is delayed or detained.
• Support neighbors who face court dates by giving rides, meals, or childcare.
• Stay informed through trusted organizations and official websites.

Local resources

• League of Women Voters of Dane County: www.lwvdanecounty.org
• Community Immigration Law Center: www.cilcmadison.org
• Voces de la Frontera / VDLF: www.vdlf.org
• Dane County District Attorney’s Office: da.danecounty.gov

Real-world consequences and employer guidance

For many families, these policies are not theoretical. Consider a mixed-status household where a TPS beneficiary lost protection in April and now risks detention on the way to work. If the breadwinner is stopped and detained:
– The family loses income.
– A landlord loses rent.
– A child falls behind in school.
– A small business loses an experienced worker.

Panelists urged employers to be proactive:
– Share accurate information with workers.
– Offer flexible time for legal appointments.
– Avoid making assumptions about someone’s status.
– Keep updated contact lists and plans for who to call if an employee is detained.

What’s next: legal, political, and community fronts

In the weeks and months ahead:
– Federal decisions on the travel ban and other rulings could ease or tighten pressure on immigrant communities.
– State lawmakers may continue to challenge local policies, inviting veto fights and court battles.
– Locally, the Sheriff’s Office policy will be measured by outcomes—911 calls, case clearance rates, and community feedback.

Panelists urged immediate practical actions: fund legal aid, train officers on warrant rules, protect crime victims, and set fair county standards.

Key takeaway: Informed communities are safer and stronger. While national policy sets the stage, local choices—funding legal services, protecting constitutional limits, and building trust—decide how families fare day to day.

The forum left attendees with a clear consensus: local action cannot solve every federal problem, but it can lower fear, keep doors open, and maintain stability. For many families in Dane County, that difference can be the one between a crisis and a second chance.

As one advocate put it after the event: laws and policies set the stage, but communities decide how people are treated day to day. With the Sheriff’s Office policy shift, growing legal aid, and strong public engagement, Dane County is trying to center safety and fairness. Whether those efforts hold under pressure from state proposals and federal enforcement will shape the future of immigration policy here.

The work continues today—legal clinics, worker centers, faith groups, and county offices remain the safety net. The District Attorney’s team reminds residents that help does not hinge on immigration status; crime victims can call and get support. Small steps—meals, rides, legal clinics, and clear county policies—add up to stability for families and resilience for the whole community.