Trendpills
Collaboration between local law enforcement and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is expanding in Wisconsin, creating what the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) describes as a "jail-to-deportation pipeline." A series of reports from the organization highlights a significant increase in formal partnerships and data-sharing agreements that facilitate the identification and removal of immigrants.
As of July 2025, thirteen Wisconsin law enforcement agencies have active 287(g) agreements with ICE, a sharp rise from just one in 2018. According to a recent investigation, six more Wisconsin sheriff's departments joined the program in 2025, including those in Kewaunee, Outagamie, and Winnebago counties. These agreements delegate federal immigration enforcement powers to local officers, allowing them to question individuals about their immigration status and serve administrative warrants within jails.
Financial incentives also play a crucial role in this growing cooperation. The State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) provides federal funding to local agencies that share information with ICE about incarcerated individuals suspected of being in the country without authorization. Between fiscal years 2021 and 2024, the Wisconsin Department of Corrections and 29 county sheriff's offices received over $7.2 million through this program. The ACLU's updated report on the deportation pipeline details how these funds encourage law enforcement to collect and transmit data on immigrant populations to federal authorities.
At the center of the controversy are ICE detainers—requests for local jails to hold an individual for up to 48 hours beyond their scheduled release, allowing ICE agents time to take custody. Critics argue these detainers are not legally binding judicial warrants and that honoring them violates constitutional protections. Despite these legal questions, ICE issued over 3,300 detainers in Wisconsin between late 2021 and mid-2025. However, sheriffs in Wisconsin have discretion on ICE cooperation, and some, like those in Dane and Milwaukee counties, have policies limiting their assistance. Proponents of the partnerships argue they are necessary for upholding the law, while immigrant advocates warn they erode community trust and lead to the separation of families.
