Wisconsin Sheriff Races Feature Contrasting Approaches to ICE Collaboration
Two sheriff races in Wisconsin's Sauk and Winnebago counties are presenting voters with distinct visions for local law enforcement's collaboration with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), particularly concerning agreements that enable sheriffs' offices to assist in immigration enforcement.
Green Bay Appleton, WI, October 2, 2026 — In the upcoming elections, voters in Wisconsin’s Sauk and Winnebago counties will face a clear divergence in how local law enforcement agencies approach their partnerships with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The sheriff races in both counties highlight distinct philosophies regarding agreements that permit sheriff’s offices to participate in immigration enforcement activities.
The core of the debate centers on the nature and extent of collaboration between county sheriff departments and federal immigration authorities. These collaborations often involve agreements, sometimes referred to as 287(g) agreements, which allow designated state and local law enforcement officers to perform certain immigration enforcement functions under the supervision of ICE.
Candidates in Sauk and Winnebago counties are presenting voters with contrasting visions for the future of these partnerships. Some candidates advocate for continued or expanded cooperation with ICE, emphasizing potential benefits for public safety and federal law enforcement objectives. Others express concerns about the impact of such collaborations on community relations, civil liberties, and the allocation of local law enforcement resources.
The specific details regarding the current status of these agreements in Sauk and Winnebago counties, including whether they are active or pending, and the precise terms involved, were not detailed in the provided summary. Similarly, the specific candidates involved in these races, their party affiliations, or their detailed platforms were not specified.
Voters in these counties are being presented with an opportunity to decide the direction of local law enforcement’s role in federal immigration enforcement. The outcomes of these sheriff races are expected to shape policy and practice concerning ICE cooperation at the county level in Wisconsin.
Story summarized from the original created by Paul Kiefer | Wisconsin Watch on www.wpr.org, see more information here.
