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Racine council unanimously adopts ordinance limiting local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement
Summary
After hours of public comment and council debate, the Racine Common Council voted 13-0 on Aug. 5 to adopt an ordinance restricting city resources from being used to support civil immigration enforcement beyond legal requirements. Supporters said the measure protects community trust; city attorneys warned some provisions face litigation.
The Racine Common Council voted unanimously on Aug. 5 to adopt proposed ordinance 0004-26, which limits the city’s use of local resources — such as parking lots, parks and municipal personnel — for civil immigration enforcement beyond what state or federal law requires. The measure was sponsored by Mayor Cory Mason and a group of alders and was the subject of extended public comment and council discussion earlier in the meeting.
Supporters, including state Rep. Angelina Cruz and multiple community leaders, framed the ordinance as a public-safety step to protect immigrant families and preserve trust in local government. “This does not stop federal agents from doing their jobs under lawful warrants or court orders,” Cruz said during public comment, asking the council to “tell the families of Racine clearly and unequivocally that they do” belong.
During council debate, Racine’s police chief emphasized the department’s longstanding policy not to participate in civil immigration enforcement, saying the department’s priority is public safety and community trust. The city attorney cautioned the council that legal challenges are pending in other jurisdictions over some provisions — notably restrictions on federal agents wearing masks — and clarified the city cannot compel federal agencies to adopt equipment policies.
A motion to approve the ordinance was made and seconded by alder members and passed on a roll-call vote: 13 ayes, 0 noes. Mayor Mason thanked the community for its engagement and said the unanimous vote reflected community values. The ordinance was referred as a separate-consideration executive-committee item at the meeting; its initial reading and final adoption are recorded in the council minutes.
What happens next: The ordinance takes effect under the timetable set in its text; the city attorney noted parts of the ordinance could face litigation and the city may need to respond to challenges as they arise.
