20-03-2025
Sheriffs discuss Assembly bill requiring checking immigration status, ICE notification
CHIPPEWA FALLS — The state Assembly approved a bill Tuesday that would require sheriffs in Wisconsin to check the immigration status of every person incarcerated in their jails on a potential felony offense. The measure would also require them to contact ICE if a person is not a legal U.S. resident.
Chippewa County Sheriff Travis Hakes said his agency has had that policy for years, using a fingerprint system to verify who they have detained.
'Partisan politics aside, we have always had a policy in place,' Hakes said. 'We have a system in place to identify everybody, either citizens or non-citizens. We make sure they are who they say they are. We always try to positively identify and we always check for wants and warrants. We've always done that, even before this became a hot-button issue.'
Hakes, a Republican, said they have a policy where they notify ICE upon learning a person is not a legal resident as well. He recalled a man who severely stabbed a deputy 10 years ago and was killed in the process was wanted by ICE.
'We have a good working relationship with ICE, and all of our law enforcement stakeholders,' he said.
Hakes said that there are more privacy protections in place than people realize. For instance, he cannot publicly state if a specific person incarcerated in the jail is an illegal resident.
'Less than 5% of the people we deal with have an illegal status,' he added.
Hakes acknowledged the bill has its detractors, and he doubts that Gov. Tony Evers would sign it into law.
'I sit on the Badger State Legislative Council. Everyone has a different opinion on this bill and the application of this bill,' Hakes said. 'Personally, I don't believe we need more legislation for what we're already doing.'
Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald, a Democrat, said his department also checks the immigration status of everyone who is detained.
'It won't change our operation,' Fitzgerald said.
One part of the proposed legislation is that sheriffs who don't comply could lose state funding. Fitzgerald objected to that part of the bill.
'You can't pass a law to tell a constitutional officer what to do,' Fitzgerald said, but he added, 'I won't fight it.'
Fitzgerald stressed how infrequently his officers wind up arresting someone who is not a legal resident.
'If we even get one a year, I'd be surprised, and we book in 1,200 people (annually),' he said.
Eau Claire County Sheriff Dave Riewestahl could not be reached for comment on his policy.
Rep. Karen Hurd, R-Withee, issued a statement after the Assembly passed the measure, known as AB 24.
'One of the issues I hear a lot about from my constituents is illegal immigration, Hurd wrote. 'While immigration is primarily a federal issue, there are still some areas where state and local governments can help. One way is by having local law enforcement, like our county sheriffs, partner with federal law enforcement to keep illegal immigrants who commit felonies off our streets. While many of our sheriffs already do this, some refuse to do so, making all Wisconsinites less safe. By requiring our sheriffs to cooperate with the federal government, we are helping to keep our communities safe.'
