MADISON – Aggressive actions by federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents under the Trump administration have sparked outrage in Minnesota and across the country. Representative Robyn Vining (D-Wauwatosa) has denounced these actions and met with state and local leaders about protecting Wisconsin communities from the unconstitutional and deeply concerning actions of ICE. She is also a co-sponsor of several bills that would prohibit state and local facilities from being used for immigration detention (2025 Assembly Bill 444/Senate Bill 484), ban collaboration with ICE in safe community spaces like schools, hospitals, and places of worship (2025 Assembly Bill 57/Senate Bill 54), and provide grants to organizations to provide civil legal services related to immigration (2025 Assembly Bill 475/Senate Bill 446). Representative Robyn Vining (D-Wauwatosa) released the following statement:
“Together we have experienced a heavy few weeks, and our hearts break for the extreme violence and cruelty seen on display in Minnesota by federal ICE agents. Federal agents have killed two people in Minnesota: Reneé Good, a mother of three, and Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse at the VA. We all saw what happened, and many of us have joined together to be clear that we all saw what happened.
“To those who have reached out to my office, raised your voice in protest, stood up for your neighbors, or shared their heartbreaking story–I see you, I’m with you, and I stand ready to work with federal, state, and local leaders to protect our communities.
“We have said, ‘this is not who we are’, and we have followed that up by saying who we want to be. We want humane treatment in our immigration policies and practices. We want to be a country that doesn’t lead with fear as a weapon used on our own people. We want to love our neighbors. And we want to ensure that children are safe, protected, and loved.
“May we continue to believe our own eyes, speak up for our neighbors, peacefully assemble, express and protect our first amendment rights, defend our constitution, reject cruelty, and overcome practices of fear with commitments to act with compassion, empathy and love. Forward, together.”
