Key Takeaways
• Wisconsin Republicans passed a bill in March 2025 mandating all county sheriffs cooperate with ICE on detainer requests.
• Governor Tony Evers, a Democrat, strongly opposes and has vowed to veto the mandatory ICE cooperation bill if it passes.
• Trump administration set a new ICE arrest goal of 1,200 daily, with 140,000 deportations claimed since April 2025.
Wisconsin Republicans are taking strong steps to strengthen the link between local sheriffs and federal immigration agents, especially U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This push has become a central issue in the state, reflecting the broader agenda led by the Trump administration to increase deportations across the country. The topic has brought heated debates, deepened political divisions, and stirred questions about the role state and local leaders play in federal immigration enforcement.
Republican Lawmakers Move to Mandate ICE Cooperation
In March 2025, the Wisconsin Assembly, with only Republicans supporting the measure, passed a bill requiring all county sheriffs to work closely with ICE agents. This law would end the current system, where sheriffs can decide for themselves whether to follow federal detainer requests or check someone’s immigration status during an arrest.
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos made the case that many sheriffs already do this important work. He argued, “Which is why guaranteeing that all 72 counties follow the law should be simple,” as quoted by Wisconsin Public Radio. The message from Wisconsin Republicans is clear: they want every sheriff in the state to take a unified approach.
The move to require cooperation with ICE is supported by several law enforcement unions in Wisconsin, including the Badger State Sheriffs’ Association and the Wisconsin Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs Association. These groups say that working together with ICE makes communities safer. However, even as they support the bill, union leaders have pointed out that immigration laws are mainly a federal issue. They also worry that the new duties could put extra pressure on already busy staff and stretch limited local budgets.
How Do Sheriffs Currently Work With ICE?
Right now, Wisconsin does not have a statewide rule forcing sheriffs to help with federal immigration enforcement. Instead, each county can decide how much it works with ICE. The ACLU of Wisconsin says at least nine counties already partner with the agency in some way. By April 2025, four more county sheriffs had signed new agreements, increasing the number of counties involved in these partnerships.
Cooperation can include different actions:
– Notifying ICE when a person suspected of being undocumented is in county jail.
– Holding someone for extra time, beyond their scheduled release, so ICE can take custody.
– Sharing information or arrest records with federal officers.
These steps are often called “detainer requests.” They are notices from ICE, asking a local jail to hold someone suspected of being involved in immigration violations. Although some sheriffs honor these requests, others have chosen not to, citing legal worries or lack of resources.
Political Tension: Governor Evers and Democrats Push Back
While Wisconsin Republicans push forward, Democratic leaders, led by Governor Tony Evers, have pushed back hard. Governor Evers has said he is likely to veto the new bill if it reaches his desk. His stance has angered many Republicans, who see his actions as blocking proper law enforcement.
The disagreement grew stronger when Governor Evers sent out instructions to state workers about what to do if ICE agents visit their offices. Some viewed this as a way to help employees understand their rights and job duties. However, Republicans strongly criticized the move.
U.S. Representative Tom Tiffany, a Republican from Wisconsin, claimed that the governor’s message was “ordering state employees to block ICE from doing their job.” Brian Schimming, chairman of the Wisconsin Republican Party, went even further, saying this was “an order to impede justice.”
The situation caused more conflict when Tom Homan, President Trump’s border czar, spoke out. He warned that if state leaders actively tried to block ICE, they could face serious charges. Homan said, “If you cross that line of impediment or knowingly harboring and concealing an illegal alien, that is a felony, and we will treat it as such.”
These comments have added even more weight to the debate, highlighting the risks local officials face as they balance state laws, federal requirements, and their own community values.
The Bigger Picture: Trump Administration’s New Deportation Rules
The Wisconsin Republicans’ push for mandatory ICE cooperation is linked to President Trump’s renewed focus on immigration enforcement during his second term. Since January 2025, the Trump administration has moved quickly to increase deportations, especially in cities and counties known as “sanctuary” areas, where local police limit their help with federal immigration officers.
On January 23, 2025, ICE began a new wave of raids on these sanctuary cities. The administration claims it has deported about 140,000 people since April, but news outlets like VisaVerge.com and others suggest the real number might be closer to half that, or around 70,000 people. The large number of removals is part of a wider effort to meet national arrest targets set by the Trump administration.
A key new rule by the administration sets a daily arrest goal for ICE officers: at least 1,200 undocumented immigrants a day. This is more than double the daily average of 500 arrests reached during the previous high point in 2014. By early February 2025, the Trump administration said ICE had arrested about 11,000 undocumented immigrants, averaging just under the new goal at about 600 arrests per day. These numbers give a sense of how much the national picture of immigration enforcement has changed.
Local Politics Meet National Priorities
This sharp increase in enforcement has created a wave of change across the United States 🇺🇸, and Wisconsin is no exception. In cities and towns across Wisconsin, leaders are debating not just the law, but deeper questions about trust, safety, and community ties.
Democrats in Wisconsin have responded by promoting their own bill. Their proposal would stop state and local officials from helping ICE or joining in federal deportation efforts, unless a judge signs a special warrant. This approach is meant to protect people who might otherwise be at risk for deportation just because of their immigration status. But since Republicans control both chambers of the state Legislature, this bill is unlikely to move forward.
This standoff highlights the ongoing struggle between state and federal priorities on immigration. As President Trump’s team pushes for strict rules, state and local leaders are left with tough choices—whether to support, resist, or try to find a middle ground.
Supporters: Why Some Want More ICE Involvement
For many Wisconsin Republicans, tougher enforcement brings several benefits. They argue that making sure all counties partner with ICE will:
– Improve public safety by removing people with criminal records
– Create a clear, simple rule for all sheriffs to follow
– Show strong support for federal laws
Law enforcement supporters agree. The Badger State Sheriffs’ Association, for example, wrote that good communication with ICE “benefits public safety.” They also say a uniform rule will make it easier for local police to do their jobs, especially as the Trump administration ramps up deportation efforts.
At the same time, even these groups admit there are big challenges. They recognize that local law enforcement is already stretched thin. Extra work linked to federal immigration enforcement could mean longer hours, more paperwork, and fewer resources for other police activities. The unions have called on federal leaders to step up and offer more funding to help cover these new duties.
Opponents: Concerns Over Rights, Cost, and Trust
Opponents of the Wisconsin Republicans’ plan, including Democrats, immigrant rights groups, and civil liberties organizations, have serious concerns.
They argue that:
– Immigration enforcement should stay mainly a federal job and not be pushed onto small, local police forces.
– Requiring sheriffs to follow all ICE requests could lead to more racial and ethnic profiling, breaking trust between local police and immigrant communities.
– Holding people for ICE without a judge’s warrant raises constitutional problems and can open counties to lawsuits.
– Some sheriffs lack the staff or money to take on extra duties, which could mean less focus on urgent issues like violent crime or the opioid crisis.
Groups like the ACLU of Wisconsin warn that forcing local sheriffs to comply with every ICE request could make it harder for police to serve everyone fairly. They point out that mistrust will grow if people in immigrant communities are afraid to report crimes or ask police for help.
Democratic lawmakers have been vocal in their criticism. They have accused Wisconsin Republicans of pushing a policy that, in their view, will not solve safety problems but will make communities less safe and less welcoming.
What’s Next in Wisconsin?
As of now, the Republicans’ bill is expected to advance further in the state Legislature. But even if it passes both houses, it faces a likely veto from Governor Evers, who has not wavered in his stance against mandatory cooperation. If that happens, Republican lawmakers may try to gather enough votes to override the veto, but that will depend on how much support they can gather.
In the meantime, sheriffs in some counties may continue to sign cooperation agreements with ICE, either by choice or because of pressure from state and national leaders. This patchwork system could create confusion, as each county tries to follow different standards and rules.
For more information on how ICE works with local law enforcement and federal immigration detainers, you can visit the official ICE Detainer Policy page.
Impact on Immigrants, Employers, and Communities
The debate in Wisconsin has effects that go beyond lawmakers and sheriffs. For immigrants, especially those without legal status, the new bill could increase fear and uncertainty. Some may avoid public spaces, schools, hospitals, or even calling police for help. This can hurt public safety and leave many vulnerable people unprotected.
Employers who hire immigrant workers may also worry about labor shortages if more people are targeted for deportation. Farms, factories, and service industry businesses—many of which depend on immigrant labor—face added risks and may need to adjust their hiring practices.
For local communities, the issue often comes down to trust. Police chiefs and sheriffs are weighing how much they can do to support public safety while keeping open lines of communication with all residents. The outcome of Wisconsin’s debate may serve as a model for other states dealing with similar issues under the Trump administration’s rules.
Divided Opinions—And the Search for Balance
As with many immigration issues, opinions in Wisconsin fall along party lines. Wisconsin Republicans argue that following the Trump administration’s lead is the best way to enforce laws. Democrats counter that community safety depends on building trust and respecting individual rights.
Sheriffs, caught in the middle, often just want clear rules—and enough staff to do whatever the law requires. For some, taking part in federal immigration enforcement is a matter of duty; for others, it raises concerns about harming the very communities they’re meant to protect.
Amid all this disagreement, what remains clear is that Wisconsin’s immigration debate is not happening in a vacuum. It’s part of a larger national discussion shaped by changing federal policies, differences in state leadership, and the diverse needs of local communities.
Final Thoughts and What to Watch
The path forward for Wisconsin will depend on what happens next in the Legislature and in Governor Evers’ office. It will also depend on how much support Wisconsin Republicans can rally for their proposals and how strong the opposition remains.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, this moment in Wisconsin politics shows just how challenging it can be for states to respond to swift changes in federal immigration policy—especially during a period of aggressive enforcement by the Trump administration. With sheriffs, lawmakers, and ordinary residents all affected, every decision on ICE cooperation carries real consequences.
For anyone living in or connected to Wisconsin, staying informed about new laws and executive actions is very important. Watching for updates from the Wisconsin Legislature and official sources like ICE’s policy sites can help you follow developments, understand your rights, and be aware of any changes that could impact your community or workplace.
In the end, the discussion around Wisconsin Republicans, ICE, and the influence of the Trump administration remains complex and evolving—echoing broader questions about immigration, law, and community in the United States 🇺🇸 today.
Learn Today
Detainer Request → A notice from ICE asking local jails to hold someone suspected of immigration violations beyond their scheduled release.
Sanctuary City → A city where local authorities limit their cooperation with federal immigration enforcement to protect undocumented immigrants.
287(g) Agreement → A federal-local partnership enabling state or local officers to assist ICE in immigration enforcement tasks.
ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) → A federal agency under the Department of Homeland Security responsible for enforcing immigration laws and deporting undocumented immigrants.
Veto → The constitutional power of a governor or president to reject a bill passed by the legislature.
This Article in a Nutshell
Wisconsin’s GOP seeks to mandate sheriffs’ cooperation with ICE, escalating state-federal immigration tensions under Trump’s strict deportation agenda. Governor Evers plans to veto such measures. The debate’s outcome could reshape community trust, law enforcement practices, and serve as a model for other states facing changing federal immigration rules.
— By VisaVerge.com
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