Wisconsin state employees have been given a directive that seems to be causing quite a stir. According to a memo from the Department of Administration, dated April 18 and shared by conservative radio host Dan O’Donnell, state workers are instructed not to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The memo sets out specific steps for employees to follow if ICE agents show up at state facilities, emphasizing a strategy of non-cooperation.
Instead of aiding federal immigration authorities, employees are told to keep information to themselves, restrict access to files and offices, and limit the movement of agents within government buildings unless certain legal prerequisites are satisfied. These instructions have sparked controversy, as they appear to prioritize state directives over federal ones. The memo suggests that if ICE agents appear, state employees should refuse to answer questions, even about individuals known to be sought by federal authorities.
The guidance further advises employees to deny agents access to paper records and electronic files, even if they have a warrant. It’s a move that seems to align with a broader resistance against federal immigration enforcement efforts. Employees are also instructed to prevent agents from entering any non-public areas of state buildings unless they present a judicial warrant, which adds another layer of complexity to the interactions between state and federal authorities.
State workers are told to instruct ICE agents to wait in public areas and delay their interactions until a state attorney can be contacted. If legal counsel isn’t immediately available, the agents are to be asked to leave and return later. This directive has been met with criticism, particularly from those who believe in strong enforcement of immigration laws.
An email from Deputy Secretary Kathy Hanson circulated with the memo acknowledged that this directive was created due to concerns raised by state employees over encounters with federal agents. Hanson wrote, “We have received questions from state employees regarding what to do in case of an encounter with federal agents at work.” She added that the guidance is similar to what other public entities have issued.
Hanson also expressed hope that this guidance wouldn’t need to be put into practice but urged employees to be prepared. She emphasized the importance of having contact information for their agency’s Office of Legal Counsel readily available. The memo’s release comes during a time of heightened tension over immigration enforcement and state-level policies.
The procedures outlined effectively instruct government employees to delay or obstruct federal immigration enforcement efforts. This is the case even when individuals with outstanding warrants or criminal backgrounds are involved. The memo’s release follows broader concerns about state-level resistance to federal immigration law.
In recent weeks, public attention has focused on cases like that of Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan. She was federally charged for allegedly aiding an illegal immigrant in evading ICE custody. Dugan faces charges under Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 1505 for “obstructing or impeding a proceeding before a department or agency of the United States,” and under Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 1071 for “concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest.”
Authorities allege that Dugan helped a violent illegal immigrant from Mexico avoid detention by federal immigration officers. This case has added fuel to the fire of the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement and state versus federal authority. The newly uncovered Wisconsin directive raises questions about the extent to which some state governments may be willing to challenge or undermine federal immigration enforcement.
It also highlights potential legal risks for employees who choose to follow guidance that could conflict with federal law. Federal officials have not yet commented on the leaked memo, but legal experts note that states and their employees could face consequences for actively obstructing federal law enforcement actions. The situation continues to unfold as immigration enforcement remains a central issue nationally.
President Donald Trump’s administration has been working to strengthen federal authority over immigration policy. This Wisconsin directive seems to stand in contrast to those efforts, raising questions about the balance of power between state and federal governments. The controversy surrounding this memo underscores the ongoing tension between different levels of government in the realm of immigration enforcement.
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how this situation will evolve. The directive has certainly brought attention to the issue and sparked discussions about the role of state employees in federal enforcement efforts. It’s a complex issue with no easy answers, and the conversation is likely to continue as more details emerge.
Leave a Comment