MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke is deepening his stance of immigration. Last month, while he was with Gov. Walker, Paul Ryan and other Republicans at the Conservative Political Action Conference, Clarke said he thinks elected officials of sanctuary cities should be prosecuted.
According to Diversity, Inc.,
Clarke called for the enforcement of an existing federal statute that says anyone who harbors undocumented immigrants can be jailed for up to 10 years. In the wake of the Trump administration’s more aggressive deportation stance, several mayors have promised to protect undocumented immigrants in their cities. Clarke emphasized specifically holding those mayors accountable as a way to deter others: “I’m telling you right now folks: You charge one mayor, one governor, one council president … this stuff is going to end right away.”
His comments at CPAC came before he signed a letter of intent to have Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Officers act as enforcement agents in Milwaukee County. Under the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement 287 program, the act would allow local deputies to partner with ICE on immigration enforcement. If Clarke’s request is approved, his office would be the first in Wisconsin to have such authority on immigration.
Read more on Clarke’s comments from Diversity Inc., here.
