MINOCQUA, WI – The Minocqua Brewing Company SuperPAC is taking direct action against Wisconsin sheriffs who are choosing to align with Donald Trump’s extremist immigration agenda. Today, the SuperPAC announced that it has filed open records requests with Washington, Winnebago, Oneida, Crawford, and Burnett County Sheriffs’ Offices to uncover the extent of their collaboration with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“These sheriffs are willingly turning their backs on their own communities to enforce Trump’s fascist policies, and we’re here to throw sand in their gears,” said Kirk Bangstad, founder of the Minocqua Brewing Company SuperPAC. “If they think they can quietly become ICE’s foot soldiers in Wisconsin, they’re dead wrong. We’re exposing exactly what they’re doing, and we’re going to make their lives more miserable for it.”
A recent Milwaukee Journal Sentinel report revealed that several sheriffs across the state have either joined or are considering joining ICE’s 287(g) program, which allows local law enforcement to detain suspected noncitizens for up to 48 hours after they would otherwise be released.
- Washington and Winnebago Counties have already signed on, giving their deputies direct authority to work with ICE on immigration detentions.
- Oneida County is actively considering the program, according to Sheriff Grady Hartman.
- Crawford and Burnett Counties have gone even further, indicating they are willing to report crime victims and witnesses to ICE—turning local law enforcement into an extension of the deportation machine.
- Burnett County appears to be the most aggressive, answering “yes” to every form of ICE cooperation, including asking about immigration status at traffic stops and sharing the names of noncitizens booked into the jail.
“These sheriffs are choosing to make undocumented immigrants live in fear, choosing to rip apart families, choosing to betray the basic values of decency and humanity,” Bangstad continued. “And let’s be clear: this isn’t about public safety. This is about Trump and his allies in law enforcement trying to stoke fear, scapegoat immigrants, and carry out their authoritarian agenda.”
The Minocqua Brewing Company SuperPAC is taking action to hold these sheriffs accountable, starting with public records requests that will force them to reveal the extent of their cooperation with ICE. These requests demand access to all written and electronic communications, phone call logs, and meeting records between these sheriffs’ offices and ICE over the past 60 days.
“This is just the start,” Bangstad said. “These sheriffs think they can quietly collaborate with ICE without anyone noticing—but we’re here to make sure they feel the consequences of that choice. We’re exposing their actions, holding them accountable, and mobilizing volunteers in Washington, Winnebago, Oneida, Crawford, and Burnett counties to push back against this betrayal of Wisconsin values.”
The Minocqua Brewing Company SuperPAC will announce its next steps soon. Wisconsin deserves law enforcement that protects its people—not one that bows to Trump’s extremist vision for America.
About Minocqua Brewing Company
The Minocqua Brewing Company has become a strong progressive voice in Northern Wisconsin, drawing thousands of tourists from across the country to our historic taproom in downtown Minocqua. They have also recently opened a new “home away from home” location on the west side of Madison. For more information about the new products and upcoming events, please visit Minocqua Brewing Company’s website: MinocquaBrewingCompany.com.
