Wood County among those with ICE agreements

WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. (WFHR / WIRI) – The state Supreme Court has agreed to hear a challenge to county sheriff’s authority to detain immigrants. The case was filed by Voces de la Frontera, a Milwaukee-based immigrants rights group.

Christine Neumann-Ortiz is the Executive Director of Voces de la Frontera. She spoke at a news conference yesterday.

“We are grateful that the State Supreme Court is taking this up,” says Neumann-Ortiz. “Because at this moment, where we are fighting authoritarianism, we need local and state protections particularly.”

Many sheriff offices participate with ICE at some level

As of July of this year, 13 county sheriffs had signed contracts to participate in the program. Wood County signed its contract in March, according to a report from the ACLU. And neighboring Marathon County signed an agreement with ICE last month.

When asked about working with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Wood County Sheriff Shawn Becker told WFHR that Wood County has partnered with ICE throughout his 30 year career.

He said the 287(g) agreements came out within the last few years. To his understanding, by signing onto the agreement, it would give the county some protections against being sued if they were asked by ICE to detain someone without a valid and legal reason.

“ We can’t go out and enforce any ICE detainers or warrants,” explains Becker. “They’re civil, but it can be enforced if you have that partnership by ICE. If that person commits a crime and comes to jail.”

Wood County recently finished a $1 million dollar jail project. Becker said if ICE asked them to detain someone long-term, he would.

“If it’s legally justified, yes, I wouldn’t have a problem with it,” says Becker.

WI police department changes direction on agreement

In September, the Village of Palmyra south of Wisconsin Rapids was poised to be the first police department in the state to participate in the “Task Force Model” of the 287(g) program. It would have authorized officers to make immigration arrests.

The village nixed that idea several weeks ago, reports the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.