MILWAUKEE — Following today’s recommendation by the ad hoc committee to select Jacobs Solutions for the district’s next wastewater operations and maintenance contract, community advocates demand the full MMSD Commission reject Jacobs’ bid when final action is taken in September.  Jacobs’ collaboration with Palantir – and its laughable pledge it will sever ties with the surveillance giant fueling Trump’s deportation machine – is disqualifying to receive a $700 million taxpayer contract.

Jacobs has faced significant community opposition over its corporate partnership with Palantir Technologies, whose technology has been used by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Now, after weeks of public pressure, Jacobs is reportedly pledging that Palantir will not be involved in the MMSD contract.

Advocates say these promises are not believable because Palantir is deeply interwoven into Jacobs’ operations. Jacobs touted its data programming as a highlight of its bid for the $700 million taxpayer contract.  

“If Jacobs now recognizes that its relationship with Palantir is a problem for Milwaukee, then the public deserves to know how on earth we should be expected to trust the company’s promise that Palantir will be kept away from this contract,” said Nick Ramos, executive director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign. “Trust is not a substitute for transparency. And when hundreds of millions of public dollars and critical public infrastructure are at stake, Milwaukee should not be asked to take a corporation at its word. The people of our community are not idiots.”

“You cannot separate these questions from what immigrant families are experiencing right now,” Ramos continued. “Palantir has provided technology used in ICE operations. Jacobs chose to partner with Palantir. Milwaukee residents raised the alarm. Now Jacobs is asking this community to trust that the relationship will stop at the door. Before handing over a contract of this magnitude, the Commission has a responsibility to ask much harder questions.”

The coalition emphasized that today’s committee recommendation is not the final decision. The full MMSD Commission is scheduled to consider the contract in September, with final Commission action currently scheduled for September 28.

Community organizations intend to continue organizing ahead of that vote.

“This fight is not over,” Ramos said. “The commissioners who will cast the final votes are accountable to the public, not to Jacobs. We are asking them to listen to the people who will live with this decision for the next decade. Milwaukee’s public infrastructure and hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars should not be handed to a company that collaborates with Trump’s ICE and Palantir deportation regime.”

Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, Comité Sin Fronteras, All In Wisconsin, Milwaukee Turners, Badger Collective, Black Leaders Organizing Communities and other community partners have previously called on MMSD to reject Jacobs’ bid because of the company’s relationship with Palantir and broader concerns about transparency and accountability in public contracting.

The MMSD Commission is scheduled to discuss and refer the contract recommendation on September 14, with final Commission action scheduled for September 28.

###

The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign is a nonpartisan, nonprofit watchdog dedicated to transparency, accountability, and ensuring that every Wisconsinite has a voice in our democracy. Since 1995, the organization has fought against corruption, dark money, and barriers to voting, working to create a government that is truly of, by, and for the people. For more information, visit wisdc.org

On Fri, Aug 14, 2026 at 6:17 PM Molly Carmichael <noreply@msgsnd.com> wrote:

 ***MEDIA ADVISORY*** 

Date: August 17, 2026

Contact: Nick Ramos

ramos@wisdc.org, 414-368-0116 

MILWAUKEE– A broad coalition of community leaders, immigrant rights advocates, faith leaders, labor organizations, democracy groups, and local residents will gather outside of Milwaukee Sewerage District on Monday ahead of MMSD’s meeting to recommend which group will be awarded one of the largest public contracts in Wisconsin. The coalition will be calling for transparency, public accountability, and careful stewardship of taxpayer dollars.

Speakers will urge committee members to fully consider what public trust requires when it comes to public dollars and infrastructure. The coalition will discuss procurement ethics, responsible stewardship of public resources, and concerns regarding Jacobs Solutions’ partnership with Palantir Technologies, whose software has been used in support of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. 

As communities across the country continue grappling with the human consequences of immigration enforcement, coalition members believe public institutions have a responsibility to carefully evaluate not only what a contractor can build, but what partnerships and values accompany that work.

“We cannot leave our public infrastructure in the hands of corporations that have relationships with agencies that are actively harming our neighbors,” said Nick Ramos, Wisconsin Democracy Campaign executive director. 

WHO: Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, community members, immigrant rights advocates, labor leaders, faith leaders, and local residents.

WHAT: Peaceful rally and press conference opposing Jacobs Solutions’ partnership with Palantir and urging MMSD to reject contracts with companies tied to technology used in ICE enforcement.

WHEN: Monday, August 17 at 8:00 a.m.

WHERE: Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) at 260 W. Seeboth Avenue, Milwaukee, WI

VISUALS:

  • Large coalition banner
  • Community leaders
  • Signs emphasizing public trust and accountability
  • Speakers from multiple sectors
  • Coalition members walking together into the committee meeting

MMSD’s published schedule calls for the committee to make its recommendation on August 17 before the matter advances to the Commission for later action. (⁠MMSD)