The Democrat primary for governor has been littered with “forums” that protect candidates from direct confrontation and limit the circular firing squad. That does not mean that candidates are immune from critiques from the left, especially when it comes to immigration.
In the wake of operation “Metro Surge” in Minneapolis, a January 21 forum between the then-declared candidates all gave their opinions regarding cooperation with federal authorities. They all agreed that the federal government had gone too far, but their tone differed. So-called “moderates,” like Missy Hughes and Joel Brennan, gave a slightly softer tone or politically danced around the issue, unlike Francesca Hong who said, “ICE is a rogue agency…. Abolishing ICE is a meaningful policy.”
Sara Rodriguez, who straddles a fine line between moderate and pragmatic progressive, had to walk back comments after she initially agreed to comply with administrative warrants. Fearing the backlash could jeopardize her standing with primary voters. Regardless of where you fall on the political spectrum of the left, you cannot support, comply, assist or appear to assist the federal government’s immigration enforcement policies.
Fast forward to today, and Missy Hughes recently appeared on “UpFront” to discuss her campaign. She touted her new plan to “stand up to Trump,” which translated to layperson political speak as “I’m not progressive enough to Democrat primary voters so I need to beef up the Trump Derangement Syndrome.”
She said she would work with the legislature to ban contracts between county sheriffs and federal immigration enforcement while claiming they were illegally cooperating. This is certainly a change of tone, considering her answer back in January was to “listen to immigrant voices.” These agreements are simply called 287g agreements and serve as the backbone of the passive enforcement that ICE performs.
What is a 287g Agreement?
It is called the 287g program, authorized by Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. This program allows ICE to delegate specific immigration enforcement functions to state and local law enforcement officers under federal supervision through a Memorandum of Agreement and currently operates in 20 Wisconsin counties.
ICE operates three key enforcement models that make this program so effective. The Jail Enforcement Model lets local officers identify and process removable criminal aliens who are already in custody for state crimes. When an illegal foreign national is arrested for assault, theft, or worse and sitting in our jails, trained officers can handle the immigration side right there. The Task Force Model gives local police the limited authority to enforce immigration law during their routine duties on the street, always under ICE oversight. And the Warrant Service Officer Program specifically trains and certifies officers to serve and execute administrative immigration warrants inside their local jails.
After serving their jail sentence, they do not walk out the front door back into your neighborhood. They get handed straight over to ICE for deportation.
Locked Up Today, on Your Street Tomorrow
In Missy’s perfect world, or any Democrat candidate for Governor for that matter, this program would end tomorrow. What happens if it ends? The revolving door of criminals that Democrats keep propping open would become permanently propped open for criminal foreign nationals.
Criminals who should be on a plane back to third world countries instead get released into the public. Local experiments in sanctuary jurisdictions have given us a preview of what is to come. The Department of Homeland Security put out a statement regarding an illegal foreign national who is currently facing two counts of second-degree sexual assault of an elderly victim.
Assuming this individual serves a sentence for his crimes (not a given for Dane County), this
The Myth of the Moderate Democrat
The Democrat Party does not have moderates on immigration. They protect the illegal and tie the hands of local law enforcement. Missy’s pivot is a sign that there is no politician has a legitimate future in the Democrat party without a hardline stance in favor of illegal foreign nationals. Miss can portray herself as the non-partisan job creator all she wants, but Democrat voters want someone who is considered a fighter on this issue.
In the end, it doesn’t matter if Missy is the nominee. If Hong, Hughes, or Hulsey and their party seize control, the 287g agreements will be the first to vanish overnight, regardless of who is at the helm. Expect statewide sanctuary rules. Expect sheriffs forced to ignore detainers.
When November comes, remember this moment. The entire Democrat party told you exactly where they stand when it comes to people that have no business being in our country.
There are no true moderates in the Democrat Party on immigration.
