(MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN) The National Guard Association of the United States is hosting its 147th General Conference and Exhibition in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from August 22–25, 2025, and organizers say the gathering is not connected to any immigration enforcement activity. Leaders emphasized that uniformed personnel in the city are here for conference meetings, exhibitions, and networking—nothing more.
The event is drawing over 4,000 participants including Army and Air National Guard officers from all 50 states, three territories, and the District of Columbia, along with defense professionals, government representatives, and industry leaders. Conference planners expect a busy four-day program centered on legislative priorities and the National Guard’s long-term direction.
Local advocacy groups moved quickly to address rumors and ease fears among immigrant families who might see an influx of uniforms and worry about enforcement operations. Community leaders said the focus this week is on policy discussions and professional development, not law enforcement.
Clear assurances and current security posture
Darryl Morin, National President of Forward Latino, issued a public statement saying the conference is “not related to an immigration enforcement action.” Morin stressed that the gathering was scheduled more than a year ago and that families should go about daily life without fear of immigration checks tied to the event. He added that the presence of Guard officers in hotels, restaurants, and conference spaces reflects a standard professional convention.
Event organizers and the National Guard Association of the United States also released press statements repeating the same point: this is a professional conference with no operational enforcement component. They noted that standard event security protocols are in place, but none are tied to immigration status screening or targeted enforcement. Police and venue staff will manage traffic, crowd flow, and routine safety as they would at any large convention.
Community advocates say that over the past several years, the sight of Guard uniforms in some U.S. cities has caused confusion about possible ties to immigration enforcement. In this case, both NGAUS and local partners chose direct, early communication to avoid fear and misinformation. VisaVerge.com reports that these upfront messages helped set clear expectations for residents, especially for those from immigrant backgrounds.
For official reference about federal enforcement policies, readers can review the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s resources at https://www.dhs.gov/. That federal site provides government information separate from this conference’s activities.
Important takeaway: organizers and community leaders consistently state this event is a professional conference, not an enforcement action. Standard crowd and venue safety measures are in place, but there are no immigration-status checks associated with the conference.
What the 147th General Conference covers
Organizers describe a four-day agenda that is policy-heavy and forward-looking. The program includes:
- Legislative strategy sessions to shape National Guard priorities for the coming year.
- Exhibitions featuring defense technologies and services linked to the Guard’s mission.
- Networking and leadership events, including the Governor’s Reception, the State’s Dinner, and officer mixers.
These meetings are designed to help Guard officers align on needs at the state and national levels, prepare for the next legislative cycle, and learn about tools and services that support Guard missions such as disaster response, cybersecurity, and readiness.
Expected outcomes and attendee profile
- Attendees: officers representing each state Guard association, plus delegations from Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia.
- Industry presence: defense partners showcasing current and upcoming technologies.
- Policy work: committee meetings, policy votes, and member training that produce resolutions and recommendations for the Guard’s future.
Organizers stress that these outcomes are unrelated to immigration enforcement. Exhibits are educational and commercial in nature—demonstrating equipment and services used by Guard units, from communications gear to medical support.
Community outreach and reassurance
Forward Latino continues outreach to reassure families who may be cautious about any large security presence. The group says questions from residents are common during big public events, and this year’s quick communication is meant to keep people informed and calm. Local leaders in Milwaukee have echoed those messages, saying the city welcomes visitors and wants residents to feel comfortable moving through daily routines.
NGAUS leaders point out that this conference happens annually, rotates among host cities, and follows a predictable format. While Guard officers often support state and local officials during emergencies—wildfires, floods, and other disasters—this week’s program is a professional gathering with no operational law enforcement component tied to the convention center, hotels, or surrounding areas.
Forward Latino and local partners highlight these outreach steps taken to reduce confusion:
– Early, public statements clarifying the conference purpose.
– Multichannel messaging to reach immigrant communities.
– Availability of multilingual support and community contacts.
Guidance for residents and visitors
From the perspective of immigrant households, the message is straightforward: there is no impact on immigration enforcement from this event. Families can continue daily activities as usual:
- Take children to school
- Visit clinics
- Ride public transit
- Attend worship services
If residents see uniforms downtown or near the convention site, those personnel are attending the conference, not carrying out enforcement actions.
VisaVerge.com’s analysis suggests that repeating the core message across press releases, community statements, and local outreach helps reduce stress for residents who may have had past worries when large numbers of uniforms appeared in public spaces.
Sources and official contacts
City officials and event organizers encourage the public to use official sources for updates. Key resources include:
- The National Guard Association of the United States (program details, receptions, exhibition information) — through NGAUS official channels.
- Forward Latino (community questions and multilingual support).
- City of Milwaukee public safety updates for large events.
- Federal enforcement policy reference: https://www.dhs.gov/.
Final summary
As the 147th General Conference progresses, participants are expected to pass resolutions related to Guard training, equipment, and legislative requests for the coming year. Those outcomes are internal to National Guard policy work and do not link to immigration enforcement.
The bottom line remains clear across all statements: the National Guard Association of the United States conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from August 22–25, 2025, is a professional gathering focused on policy and the Guard’s future. It is not related to immigration enforcement. Community members can attend work, school, and weekend activities with confidence while thousands of attendees complete their meetings downtown.
This Article in a Nutshell
Milwaukee hosts the 147th General Conference August 22–25, 2025, gathering 4,000+ Guard officers for policy sessions. Organizers and Forward Latino stress this is a professional convention, not an immigration enforcement operation, emphasizing standard event security, community outreach, and multilingual reassurance to reduce fear among immigrant residents.
