Rodriguez urges lawmakers and local leaders to adopt safeguards, transparency standards, and accountability measures as ICE activity escalates in Wisconsin

MADISON, WI—Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez today called on Wisconsin legislators, county officials, mayors, and local councils to take immediate action to protect public safety, civil rights, and the integrity of communities across the state by adopting strong protections and transparency standards governing federal immigration enforcement operating in Wisconsin.

Rodriguez’s call comes amid credible reports of increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in Wisconsin over the past week, particularly in communities bordering Minnesota, and as ICE continues to sign new leases for enforcement facilities within the state.

“No one should be afraid to drop off their kids at school, seek medical care, go to court, or attend worship because enforcement actions are happening without clear rules or accountability,” said Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez. “Wisconsin can be a state that enforces the law and a state that protects families, patients, students, and worshippers from reckless and unaccountable actions. Those goals are not in conflict – in fact, they are inseparable.”

Rodriguez outlined a clear set of actions to protect communities and uphold the rule of law, including safeguarding sensitive locations like schools, hospitals, courthouses, child-care centers, domestic violence shelters, and places of worship; requiring judicial warrants for civil immigration arrests; mandating that federal agents clearly identify themselves and use body cameras; demanding full transparency around ICE facilities and operations in Wisconsin; and ensuring meaningful accountability when constitutional rights are violated.

“If you carry a badge, you should show your face, identify yourself, and answer for your actions,” Rodriguez said. “Law enforcement exists to protect the public. That mission depends on trust, and trust depends on visibility, clear rules, and accountability. Wisconsin has both the right and the responsibility to demand that.”

Rodriguez was clear that these protections are about accountability and public safety, not blocking lawful enforcement. These actions do not stop ICE from making criminal arrests with a judicial warrant, prevent deportation of people convicted of violent crimes, or interfere with state or local law enforcement enforcing their own laws.

“If someone is convicted of a violent crime and is in the country unlawfully, federal law requires deportation,” Rodriguez said. “But unidentified, masked agents conducting civil arrests at schools, hospitals, or courthouses undermines safety, trust, and the rule of law. Wisconsin has both the right and the responsibility to demand better.”

PROTECT OUR COMMUNITIES & DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY

Sara Rodriguez’s Public Safety & Rule of Law Call to Actions

Protect Sensitive Locations: Families should not have to choose between their safety and accessing justice, health care, education, or worship. Sara calls for ensuring that essential community spaces remain safe and accessible by banning civil immigration enforcement actions in and around: 

• Courthouses

• Hospitals and health clinics

• Licensed child-care centers and daycares

• Schools and institutions of higher education

• Domestic violence shelters

• Places of worship

Exceptions:

• A judicial warrant

• Imminent threats to public safety
  

Require Warrants, Identification, and Transparency: Sara demands clear standards for any federal immigration enforcement operating in Wisconsin:

• A judicial warrant required for any civil immigration arrest or detention.

• No civil immigration enforcement inside state offices or agencies without a warrant.

• ICE agents must be unmasked, clearly identify themselves, and wear uniforms displaying a name or badge number.

• Body cameras required for ICE agents operating in Wisconsin.

• All ICE facilities and leases in Wisconsin must be fully disclosed to the state.
  

Enforce Accountability When Rights Are Violated: No one is above the law in Wisconsin. Sara supports allowing individuals to hold officers accountable when constitutional rights are knowingly violated during civil immigration enforcement by:

• Allowing individuals to sue any officer — federal or otherwise — who knowingly violates constitutional rights.

• Providing for:

  • Statutory damages of at least $10,000

  • Compensatory and punitive damages

  • Attorneys’ fees
    

Support Communities and Access to Services: As enforcement activity increases, Wisconsin must ensure residents can still access essential services. Public safety depends on people feeling safe enough to participate in civic life. Sara urges state and local agencies to:

• Offer remote options, deadline extensions, or alternative access where possible.

• Ensure people can access courts, health care, education, and public services without fear.
  

Rodriguez is available for interviews. Media inquiries should contact press@saraforwi.com. 

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