Minocqua, WI – The Minocqua Brewing Company Super PAC announced today that it has filed a federal class action lawsuit in Wisconsin’s Western District Court on behalf of all Wisconsinites, seeking to force U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to publicly display their names, badge numbers, and agency insignia.
The lawsuit follows the recent introduction of LRB 4042, a bill by Wisconsin State Representative Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (D-Milwaukee), which seeks to achieve similar protections through legislation. However, with Republicans controlling the state legislature, the bill has little chance of advancing.
“Wisconsinites deserve to know who is policing their communities,” said Kirk Bangstad, founder of the Minocqua Brewing Company. “When ICE agents hide their identities, it creates an environment ripe for abuse—both by ICE officers themselves and by impersonators who use the cover of anonymity to assault, rob, and terrorize women.”
For months, the Super PAC urged Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul to bring this lawsuit, providing both legal arguments and a draft of the complaint. After Kaul declined to act, the organization filed suit directly.
“This is the Attorney General’s job, not ours,” Bangstad continued. “But when elected officials refuse to protect Wisconsinites, we have no choice but to step in. ICE’s current practices violate the First, Fourth, and Fifth Amendments of the Constitution, and it’s time the courts hold them accountable.”
Bangstad warned that without oversight, ICE’s unchecked actions could extend beyond harassment of citizens and immigrants.
“If ICE agents are allowed to intimidate without accountability today, they’ll be doing the same to voters tomorrow,” Bangstad said. “We must act now to protect both our communities and our democracy.”
Read the full complaint here.
About the Minocqua Brewing Company
The Minocqua Brewing Company has become a strong progressive voice in Northern Wisconsin, drawing thousands of tourists from across the country to our historic taproom in downtown Minocqua. They have also opened a new “home away from home” location on the west side of Madison. More information is available at: MinocquaBrewingCompany.com.
