MADISON, WI – Yesterday, the Wisconsin State Assembly heard AB 24, relating to: county sheriff assistance with certain federal immigration functions. Rep. Palmeri released the following statement:
“Assembly Bill 24 is not only redundant legislation, but it also eliminates local control. County sheriff departments already have the ability to opt-in to federal programs like the 287(g) program and the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) if they so choose. Under AB 24, this would no longer be a decision, but a mandate.
“The mandate under AB 24 would also come with penalties to counties that either choose not to cooperate or simply do not have the resources to do so. AB 24 penalizes counties that fail to meet the requirements outlined in this legislation by reducing their shared revenue payment by 15%.
“Many counties throughout the state, including Winnebago County, are already participating in the programs mentioned above. It should remain a decision made at the county level, and should not be made to avoid loss of state funding.
“This legislation aims to increase fear of law enforcement and threatens to take away resources that our communities need to address violent crime. The vote is red.”
