Door and Kewaunee counties are currently not among the sheriff’s departments formally signed on to assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement with certain actions performed by the agency. Approximately a dozen departments in Wisconsin, including Brown County, are among the more than 400 law enforcement agencies in 38 states participating in 287 (g) programs. The programs allow ICE to partner with state and local law enforcement agencies, enabling them to enforce federal immigration laws within their jurisdictions, focusing on identifying and processing individuals in custody for other reasons. Though not explicitly listed by ICE, Kewaunee County Sheriff Matt Joski says they have been participating in the jail enforcement model for decades, cooperating with agents when they arrest someone of a crime. ICE’s Warrant Service Officer program authorizes sheriff’s deputies to serve immigration warrants against undocumented immigrants in the county jail. Joski says he needs to do more research on the program before formally signing on to participate.

Joski says he always cooperates with ICE when appropriate but does not want his on-duty deputies to act as a local resource for the agency. Last month, the Wisconsin Assembly passed a bill requiring sheriff's departments to cooperate with ICE if they arrest someone on a felony or risk some of the funding they receive from the state. Governor Tony Evers said he would veto the bill if it got to his desk. 

Note: The previous version accidentally omitted a portion of the Assembly-backed bill that would require sheriff's departments to cooperate with ICE if they arrest someone on felony charges. The story above now reflects that change.