Madison, Wis: Today, Republicans voted to advance an immigration bill (AB 24) targeting county sheriffs’ departments across Wisconsin. The bill forces sheriffs’ departments to comply with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in detaining immigrants or risk shared revenue cuts to their respective counties.
After the vote, Rep. Roe (D-Janesville) stated: “Once again, in an effort to copy the federal administration, Wisconsin Republicans are jeopardizing funding to our already underfunded, understaffed, sheriffs’ departments.”
“Here in Rock County, I trust our constitutionally elected officer, our sheriff, and his force to follow existing federal law. This new, redundant law offers no funding for the added work and instead negatively impacts local public safety efforts.” Roe continued.
Last month, Rep. Roe joined Democratic legislators in supporting an immigration bill (AB 57) aimed at preventing state employees and local law enforcement from detaining individuals in places of worship, schools, hospitals, and public-owned buildings. This bill also seeks to inform individuals of their rights and to prohibit state taxpayer dollars from aiding in the deportation of immigrants.
