Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany is escalating his attacks on Democrat David Crowley’s public safety record, accusing the Milwaukee County Executive of putting criminals and illegal immigrants ahead of Wisconsin families.
The latest attack comes one day after Tiffany hammered Crowley over Milwaukee County’s inmate tablet program, which has faced scrutiny after county-issued devices were reportedly used by inmates to contact and intimidate victims and witnesses, threaten a police officer, and access child pornography.
Now, Tiffany is turning his attention to Crowley’s immigration record, branding his opponent “Criminal-First Crowley” and arguing that the Democrat would take Milwaukee County’s immigration policies statewide.
“David Crowley has always put criminals first, and that includes criminal illegal immigrants,” Tiffany said. “He has said he would not just be an ally, but an accomplice to illegal immigrants.” Tiffany’s comment reference a statement made by Crowley to a group of supporters leading up to the primary.
Crowley has been outspoken in his opposition to cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities.
Earlier this year, Crowley said he did not see “any scenario where we would want to partner with ICE” and defended the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office policy of declining to honor ICE detainers or assist federal immigration officials in the county jail. When asked whether he wanted that policy changed, Crowley responded, “No.”
Crowley has also voiced support during his political career for allowing illegal immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses and receive in-state college tuition. During the gubernatorial campaign, he said he would direct state agencies not to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement and has opposed local sheriffs honoring immigration detainers.
His opposition to ICE is not new. In 2018, while serving in the state Legislature, Crowley publicly declared that “we must abolish ICE.”
“His agenda includes blocking cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and giving illegal immigrants driver’s licenses and taxpayer-subsidized college tuition,” Tiffany said. “Wisconsin families should come first. We should not reward illegal immigration while tying the hands of the men and women in law enforcement.”
Milwaukee County Backed Taxpayer-Funded Immigration Legal Services
Crowley’s immigration record extends beyond campaign rhetoric.
As first reported by The Heartland Post, during the 2025-26 legislative session, Milwaukee County registered its support for Assembly Bill 475, legislation that would establish taxpayer-funded grants for organizations providing immigration-related civil legal services.
The bill was introduced by Democratic Socialist Rep. Ryan Clancy and co-sponsored by Rep. Francesca Hong, who later faced Crowley in the Democratic gubernatorial primary.
Under the proposal, the state would appropriate $300,000 annually for immigration-related civil legal services. The legislation specifies that those services must be provided without regard to a client’s immigration status — meaning individuals living in the country illegally could qualify for taxpayer-funded legal assistance.
Wisconsin Ethics Commission records show Milwaukee County formally registered in support of the proposal in January 2026.
The immigration fight highlights a significant policy divide between the two candidates heading into November. Crowley has defended Milwaukee County’s approach by arguing that local law enforcement should focus its resources on local public safety rather than functioning as federal immigration agents.
Tiffany, meanwhile, has pledged to ban sanctuary policies statewide and require cooperation with federal immigration authorities when dealing with immigrants in the country illegally who commit crimes.
“When I become governor, Wisconsin taxpayers will not be forced to fund benefits for illegal immigrants,” Tiffany said. “David Crowley wants to take Milwaukee County’s immigration policies statewide and turn Wisconsin into a sanctuary state. I won’t let that happen.”
“As governor, I’ll ensure state and local law enforcement work with federal authorities to remove criminal illegal immigrants and keep our communities safe,” Tiffany added.
