Milwaukee, WI –– After ICE detained two people at the Milwaukee County Courthouse and Public Safety Building on Saturday, April 5th, Representative Priscilla A. Prado released the following statement:
“Trust within the undocumented community is already stretched thin. ICE in our courthouses blurs the lines for our immigrant neighbors on what their rights and protections are when they are in those spaces. The immigrant community has historically feared going inside public, government buildings for this exact reason.
“When immigrants are afraid to attend court or speak out due to the risk of arrest, it erodes the trust that is necessary for fair, effective functioning of our justice system. People should not be forced to choose between seeking protection under the law and the fear of being separated from their families.
“Immigration enforcement should not be conducted in spaces dedicated to fair resolution of legal matters. It marginalizes vulnerable communities and disrupts the integrity of the judicial process. We must implement and uphold policies that ensure all individuals have access to due process without the fear of detention or deportation.
“We pay for our taxes and our fines; we show up to our appointments and still, we are taken advantage of. Immigrants have long contributed to the fabric of Milwaukee’s community, and it is imperative that we ensure their safety, dignity, and right to due process, regardless of immigration status.
