The memo from Wisconsin’s Department of Administration directing state employees not to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents—unless specific legal conditions are met—marks a significant assertion of state authority in immigration enforcement matters.
According to the April 18 document, state workers are instructed to withhold information, block access to records, and deny ICE agents entry to non-public areas of government buildings unless a judicial warrant is presented.
Key instructions include:
- Refusing to answer ICE’s questions, even about known individuals.
- Denying access to both paper and electronic records without court orders.
- Requiring agents to wait in public areas and consult with state legal counsel.
- Telling agents to return later if legal support isn’t immediately available.
Deputy Secretary Kathy Hanson explained the policy aims to address employee concerns over past federal encounters, reinforcing the state’s stance on protecting residents’ privacy and due process.
This move aligns with broader “sanctuary” policies seen in other states and cities, intensifying the ongoing tension between state governments and federal immigration authorities.
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