Governor Tony Evers’ recent veto of Assembly Bill 24 was not just another partisan roadblock – it was a direct assault on Wisconsin residents, law enforcement, and the rule of law. By killing a bill that would have required county sheriffs to verify immigration status for felony suspects, honor ICE detainers, and face consequences for noncompliance, Evers ensured that Wisconsin remains a patchwork of policies where some sheriffs choose to work with ICE, and others simply look the other way. Ultimately, resulting in more heinous felonies by illegal aliens not prosecuted, more dangerous criminals released back into our communities, and more frustration for the sheriffs and deputies who actually want to protect Wisconsinites.
AB 24 would have targeted only those in custody on felony charges, such as murder, rape, aggravated assault, drug trafficking, and DUI fatalities. Sheriffs would have been mandated to check citizenship or immigration status and notify federal authorities. Counties that choose to ignore ICE detainers would have lost 15% of their shared revenue funding. Evers called it “micromanaging” our local police and a threat to budgets. Republicans say it’s basic common sense: If someone is already detained for serious crimes and ICE has flagged them as removable, why release them back into our communities to prey on us again? Evers’ veto preserves the status quo of voluntary half-measures, leaving communities vulnerable and forcing Sheriffs to coordinate efforts independently.
The devastating consequences for Wisconsin communities are foreseeable, with only 19 of Wisconsin’s 72 county sheriff’s departments currently participating in the federal 287(g) program, which allows limited delegation of immigration enforcement authority to local officers. Counties like Brown, Waukesha, Washington, Kenosha, and others are stepping up through Warrant Service Officer or Jail Enforcement 287(g) models, but the majority do not have an agreement with ICE in place. Some counties that don’t have a signed formal agreement currently operate under the framework of a 287 (g). Without a statewide policy in place, non-participating sheriffs, especially in places like Dane and Milwaukee counties, which have historically refused the vast majority of ICE hold requests, can release criminal illegals back onto the streets after local charges are resolved.
Recent examples hit close to home. In Fond du Lac, an illegal immigrant was convicted in connection with the sex trafficking of a 12-year-old girl. In Beaver Dam, a previously deported illegal alien from Mexico stole a company truck, drove drunk without a license, and caused a crash that killed his own passenger while injuring an entire family. These aren’t isolated incidents or victimless immigration violations – they are heinous felonies enabled by a broken system that prioritizes illegals over Americans. Evers’ veto guarantees more tragedies like these will occur because it removes any teeth from enforcement. When dangerous criminals aren’t immediately handed off to ICE, they often reoffend. Wisconsinites pay the price while Evers virtue-signals about “working together.”
Evers claims his biggest hang-up with the bill was budget cuts to noncompliant counties. This is untrue. Evers has routinely criticized ICE. Recently, when asked if ICE agents were welcome in Wisconsin, he replied: “I think we can handle ourselves, frankly. I don’t see the need for the federal government to be coming into our state and making decisions that we can make in the state.” Interesting phraseology, considering Evers just had the ability to “make a decision in the state.” Obviously, his decision to veto the bill speaks for itself regarding his stance on violent illegal criminals.
This veto is just as damaging for law enforcement. Sheriffs who have already signed 287(g) agreements – like those in Waukesha, Washington, and the growing list of 19 participants – are doing the heavy lifting voluntarily. They train officers, process removable noncitizens, and coordinate with ICE to get criminal aliens out of circulation. But without a streamlined statewide policy, these proactive sheriffs operate in isolation while others face no pressure to act. Deputies in non-287(g) counties waste resources re-arresting the same individuals for new crimes. Dodge County Jail, Wisconsin’s sole ICE detention facility in Juneau, already handles federal detainees under contract alongside local inmates, proving that partnership works when it’s allowed. Evers’ veto blocks any mandate that could expand that efficiency, leaving sheriffs without a uniform framework to handle felony arrests involving illegal immigrants.
In Beaver Dam, a previously deported illegal alien from Mexico stole a company truck, drove drunk without a license, and caused a crash that killed his own passenger while injuring an entire family. These aren’t isolated incidents or victimless immigration violations – they are heinous felonies enabled by a broken system that prioritizes illegals over Americans.
Critics on the left cry “racial profiling” or claim this erodes “trust in police.” Data provided from the 287(g) participants and ICE operations shows targeted enforcement against criminal illegals reduces violent and property crime burdens on local departments. The veto doesn’t protect illegal immigrants – it protects the worst offenders among them, the ones with records for homicide, sexual assault, and drug trafficking. We deserve better than to share streets with those who have already proven they’re a serious danger to our communities.
Once again, Governor Evers has chosen politics over people. His veto isn’t demonstrating his compassion for immigrants; it’s recklessness. Wisconsin’s sheriffs and the communities they serve need a governor who backs them up, not one who throws the handcuffs on our cops and prosecutors.
The voters will need to elect Tom Tiffany for governor in November, or the consequences will result in more victims of preventable crimes. It is clear that the rabid supporter of the Democrat Party demands that their politicians, all of those running to replace Evers, not cooperate with law enforcement and many of that base want their fellow Democrats to go further and actively obstruct law enforcement as they go about their jobs.
Public safety is not optional – it’s the number one responsibility of government. If we cannot all agree on the fundamental belief of right versus wrong, and we’re incapable of finding common ground to solve obvious problems (e.g. crime and punishment), then there’s little chance Republicans and Democrats can work together to navigate complexities of problems that are not as obvious.
