PHOTO: Courtesy of PBS Wisconsin
NEENAH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers’ recent memo to state employees, offering guidance about encountering ICE agents, continues to draw backlash.
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos criticized the memo last week.
“The very fact that Tony Evers is instructing his employees to either break federal law or not cooperate with law enforcement is a new low for Tony Evers,” said Vos, a Republican who serves as speaker of the State Assembly and represents the southern part of Racine County.
Evers shared his response to the Republican backlash.
“That’s baloney,” said Evers. “ICE can do what ICE wants to do. All I want is that if they come to a place of work, an employee that is being talked to by ICE can bring their attorney there.”
The memo instructs state employees:
- Stay calm and don’t rush. Notify your supervisor immediately.
- Ask the agent for their name, government-issued badge, why they are at your workplace, to see documents supporting their reason to be there, and to have a seat in a public area.
- Call your office of legal counsel and speak directly with an attorney, regardless of whether or not the agent has presented a judicial or administrative warrant.
- NOT answer questions, give access to files or computer systems without speaking to your attorney, or give consent to enter into a non-public area.
According to the memo, ICE needs a judicial warrant, meaning from a judge or magistrate. An administrative warrant issued by an agency like ICE does not give them access to confidential data from the state of Wisconsin.
Evers says this memo specifically is about workplace protection.
“We’re not saying ICE can’t operate,” said Evers. “Also, I want people to understand that state employees are doing work. They’re doing good work, and we’re asking our attorneys that work for every agency to be with them, simple as that.”
But to Vos, it’s part of a bigger issue on border security.
“He’s refused to send troops to the border to cooperate,” said Vos. “He’s refused to help sign a bill that would instruct law enforcement to cooperate with ICE.”
The memo came days before Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested by the FBI for allegedly escorting a man and his lawyer from her court through the jury door after learning that ICE agents were in the building and seeking his arrest., Despite the arrest, Evers has no plans on issuing a new memo.
“No, we’re good,” said Evers. “The only thing I want is my employees, as they’re at work, they have somebody with experience being with them. It’s quite simple.”
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