Madison, Wisconsin.. Wisconsin Democratic Gov. Tony Evers wonders if there is a proposal from his lieutenant governor for a ban Federal immigration enforcement Actions can, or should, be performed in courthouses, schools, daycares, and other locations.
Lt. Gov. Sarah Rodriguez, a Democrat, is running for governor this year after Evers decided against it. He seeks a third term. She is one of several Democrats vying to succeed Evers in the open race. Evers and Rodriguez were elected together in 2022 after Rodriguez won the primary for lieutenant governor.
Rodriguez suggested Monday that civil immigration enforcement actions should be banned in Wisconsin around courthouses, hospitals, health clinics, licensed childcare centers, daycares, schools, institutions of higher education, domestic violence shelters and places of worship. Rodriguez said there will be exceptions if there is a warrant or a direct threat to public safety.
“I’m not sure we have the capacity to do that,” Evers said when asked about her proposal at a news conference Monday.
Evers also expressed concern about how such a move would be received by President Donald Trump’s administration.
“We can take a look at that, but I think banning things outright is going to intensify the actions of our people in Washington, D.C.,” Evers told reporters. “They don’t tend to handle these things appropriately.”
Rodriguez brought up her plan after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer He shot and killed Rene Goode In neighboring Minnesota last week. That’s murder It sparked protests across the countryincluding in Wisconsin, in opposition Trump Aggressive deportations
Minnesota, joined by Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn., filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on Monday to try to stop increased immigration enforcement. The lawsuit seeks a temporary restraining order to halt the enforcement proceedings or limit the process.
Rodriguez’s proposal to limit ICE actions in Wisconsin is based largely on proposals made in other Democratic-controlled states including California, New York, Illinois and New Jersey.
Rodriguez also calls for all ICE agents working in Wisconsin to be clearly identified and wear a body camera.
“No one should be afraid to drop their children off at school, seek medical care, go to court, or attend worship because enforcement actions occur without clear rules or accountability,” Rodriguez said.
When asked if ICE agents were welcome in Wisconsin, Evers said, “I think we can handle ourselves, frankly. I don’t see a need for the federal government to come into our state and make the decisions that we can make in the state.”