Milwaukee County Board affirms courthouse access and directs coordinated response after ICE arrests

Chairwoman Marcilia Nicholson, sponsor of Resolution file 25-295, told the committee the Milwaukee County Courthouse should be “a place where people come to learn about their rights, access justice, and feel safe doing so.” The committee voted to recommend adoption of the resolution (motion by Supervisor Juan Miguel Martinez); the motion passed with four ayes and one abstention.

The resolution responds to two recent immigration enforcement arrests in public areas of the courthouse complex. Nicholson said the actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on April 4 and a prior incident sent “a message” that the courthouse “may not be safe for people who look a certain way or speak a certain language,” and that the county must protect residents’ access to courts.

Why it matters: County supervisors, court leaders and advocates said courthouse arrests by federal immigration agents risk deterring victims, witnesses and tenants who must use county services. The resolution asks the county executive, the chief judge and the sheriff’s office to coordinate a plan to preserve access and to distribute know-your-rights materials at courthouse sites.

What county officials said - Chairwoman Marcilia Nicholson (author), Tenth District: “Everyone, regardless of immigration status, deserves due process.” She framed the resolution as a local response that rests on county property authority under Wisconsin statutes cited in the presentation (see authorities).

- Corporation Counsel Scott Brown: The county is “working on compiling as much information as possible in conjunction with putting together a policy and a plan to deal with future incidents.” He said his office is investigating the two incidents and exploring legal options.

- Chief Judge Carl Ashley: The court is drafting a policy for courthouse areas and protocols that may limit unnecessary arrests in public spaces. “I don't want people to be misled about whether this is a unique situation for ICE,” Ashley said, and cautioned the committee against promising absolute insulation from federal action while seeking workable protocols.

- Chief Deputy William Barco, Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office: The sheriff’s office is coordinating with the chief judge, the county executive and corporation counsel and is awaiting a legal opinion before taking further operational steps. Barco said video reviewed so far shows the ICE agents “were not in any kind of uniform. They were in plain clothes.” He said the sheriff’s office had seconds’ notice in one incident and no prior notice in the other.

Public testimony and advocacy groups State and local lawmakers and civil-rights groups spoke in support of the resolution. State Representative Priscilla Bridal, speaking as a District 9 representative and small-business owner, said immigrant community members are “scared” to use public services such as tax help or permits. Amanda Merkway of the ACLU of Wisconsin urged the county to issue guidance limiting court personnel assistance to federal immigration enforcement and to make resources available to attorneys and advocates; she said, “The right to access courts is a fundamental right.”

Several public commenters, including community activists and representatives of immigrant advocacy organizations, urged the county to adopt binding protections; some called for stronger enforcement and questioned the sheriff’s absence at the hearing. Supervisors on the committee repeatedly requested a report back from the sheriff’s office and corporation counsel.

Formal action and next steps The committee voted to recommend adoption of Resolution file 25-295 (mover: Supervisor Juan Miguel Martinez). The motion passed with four ayes and one abstention. The resolution tasks county leaders with producing a coordinated plan and distributing informational materials; corporation counsel and the chief judge said they are drafting policies and gathering feedback from system partners. The committee expects follow-up reports from the sheriff, the chief judge and corporation counsel.

Ending note: County legal staff said they will continue investigations of the two recorded incidents and produce recommendations. Committee members emphasized they want a plan that preserves court operations while clarifying the county’s limits in directing other constitutional officers or federal actors.