This surge of ice and customs and border control
enforcement action across the border in Minnesota has resulted in the arrest of
more than 3,000 people according to the agencies which say the operation there
will continue. Will that kind of escalated force come here? Advocates for immigrants
in Wisconsin believe Milwaukee will soon be a target. That includes Darryl Maureen,
the national president of Ford Latino. He joins us from the Milwaukee area and
thanks very much for being here. Well thank you for having me here. So you have said
that it's your and others believe that ice will undertake a widespread operation
in Milwaukee. What information do you have that that's going to happen? Well yes over
the last couple of weeks there's been a growing consensus at all levels of
government here in Wisconsin that pending dramatic change in priorities there
will be a large-scale enforcement action here in the state of Wisconsin.
We're seeing that they have just under 3,500 agents up there in Minneapolis and
daily we see them coming into Western Wisconsin probing, detaining individuals
attempting to detain others etc and I think it's the firm belief of many that
it's just a matter of time before they come all the way down to Southeast
Wisconsin. And what would bring them to southeastern Wisconsin? Well we know
there's a huge population here in southeastern Wisconsin not too many
people know this. Wisconsin or Hispanics are the largest minority population in
the state of Wisconsin and there's obviously a tremendous population down
here in the southeastern part as well as in rural areas throughout the state in
our farms in our dairies etc. So everything we've heard is that there there
is sincere interest at the highest levels to come to Wisconsin. Do you think that
the extent of what's unfolded in Minneapolis would happen in Milwaukee?
Tragically yes as we've been working with our partners in Los Angeles and New
Orleans in Charlotte etc. We've seen these significant enforcement actions take
place and most troubling most concerning about that is that individuals for no
probable cause are being detained are being threatened in some cases being
even assaulted. So it's a tremendous concern not just for immigrant population
but for Wisconsin, it's in general. I know that Milwaukee police policy is that
they will not detain or arrest an individual solely for suspected
violation of immigration law and President Trump has dubbed both Madison
and Milwaukee's sanctuary city so though that is not an official kind of status.
How does that factor into whether the administration surges in Wisconsin?
Well I think there's a lot of political calculations that are going into that
quite honestly with regards to law enforcement's response I tell you that's
those are discussions we're having every day. We only need to turn on the news to
see what is happening in other places as I mentioned to U.S. citizens and
immigrants alike where their rights are being violated and what we're going to
be asking law enforcement do here is to do their job and if they see a resident
of Wisconsin being assaulted being unlawfully-intained we're going to ask
them to intervene. They're here to protect us and sadly we're seeing our
federal agents that are supposed to be doing the same doing the opposite so
we're very concerned. I will also share this as I speak with business leaders
around the state farmers, dairy farmers as well. There's a growing consensus that
as a purple state any kind of large-scale operation here in Wisconsin would
actually cost more votes than when. Being a purple state we're hoping the
administration takes that into account before making the final decision to come
here. To your understanding how prepared our Milwaukee police and city leaders
and others should Milwaukee become a powder keg? Well we've been working with
our partners around the state both in the private sector, now private sector and
government sectors. We've been very pleased that everyone is taking prudent
prudent steps to make sure that their residents and citizenry of Wisconsin
will be protected. So can't go too far into details on that but we're grateful
for the partnerships we have with many members of law enforcement and government
as well as our private and our profit partners. How has the immigration
enforcement changed the lives of people and families and communities even
lawfully present people? Well there's tremendous fear. Once again it's one
thing if we were seeing enforcement action truly going after the worst of the
worst but that's now what's happening here. We're seeing over 70% of people who are
being detained have no criminal record. We're seeing US citizens of those
lawfully present detained even US veterans that have served our nation
with dignity and honor. So there's tremendous fear here. We're seeing people
are going out less, they're spending less, they're driving less, we're seeing
absenteeism in schools and in workplaces tick up. So it is having a significant
impact and should things escalate further. I think we could see a significant shift
in the productivity across the entire state if they were to come here and force.
You have urged preparation for ICE enforcement. What does that look like?
So as I share this information today I don't want to be causing panic, right? It's time for
thoughtful preparation. It's time for our governments and law enforcement agencies to prepare
and it's time for people who may be at risk to prepare to put things in place. I'll share
with you last time we saw a significant increase in immigration enforcement. We were getting calls
from school districts asking what we could do to assist them because their parents weren't
here anymore to pick them up from school. We're working with people in the healthcare field
to discuss how can we safely move people back and forth who are going to be in need of dialysis
and other treatments as well as how are we going to dispense food once again to people
who no longer feel safe leaving their homes. So there's quite a bit of work going into this right
now at every level. Glad to be able to do the work but sad that it's needed nonetheless.
We leave it there. Darryl Maureen, thanks so much.
Thank you.
That just sent and that just sent chills down my spine and it's not just because it's cold.
Yeah, it really feels like it's on the horizon and it's it's so frightening.
Yeah, it is and we're getting calls every day. In addition, I didn't go into this but you know,
we're getting the fake stuff every day too. People looking to consume our resources,
etc, whether it be time or financial, etc. So it really is a game of cat and mouse and
things I never thought we were going to have to be involved in quite honestly but
thank you so much for for letting us share this message and highlighting this important
challenge that we're facing right now. Thank you. We will stay in touch as the days and
and weeks go on. Thank you. Sounds great. Take care. Bye bye.
Thank you. You as well.