Amidst the escalating tensions in Minneapolis-St. Paul over federal immigration enforcement activities, Western Wisconsin residents are keeping a close eye on developments with growing unease.
“It feels a bit like a pressure cooker over here,” remarked Eau Claire City Council President Emily Berge during a Friday interview on WPR’s “Wisconsin Today.”
The Trump administration has already deployed 2,000 federal agents in the Twin Cities, with plans for an additional 1,000. A significant number of these agents are from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), prompting protests against their methods. These protests have intensified following the fatal shooting of Renee Macklin Good by an ICE agent last week. Recently, the Department of Homeland Security reported another ICE-related incident where an agent shot a man in the leg during enforcement activities.
Residents in Wisconsin border towns such as Hudson, who often travel to the Twin Cities for various reasons, are feeling the impact. A resident, choosing to remain anonymous for safety reasons, disclosed her involvement in supporting protesters. She emphasized the community’s efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of those involved in the protests.
The psychological impact of these events is evident, with reports of fear affecting even young students. “It is just the saddest thing to see tiny children who are just starting school have this kind of fear and uncertainty,” she stated.
This sentiment resonates within immigrant communities. “Everybody is terrified,” immigration attorney Marc Christopher commented to “Wisconsin Today.” “They see what’s been broadcast on TV. They see the indiscriminate arrest of people. … The level of fear and anxiety in our immigrant community is off the charts.”
Berge, who is also running for Congress as a Democrat, noted that members of the Hmong community are particularly anxious about being targeted despite their citizenship. “Even though they’re American citizens,” she explained, “they have to bring their documents with them, their passports or ID with them when they leave the house — even to walk their dog or bring their kids to school.”
In contrast, GOP U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson attributed the unrest to the actions of Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and other politicians, accusing them of “inciting people to resist and obstruct justice” during an interview with PBS Wisconsin’s “Here and Now.”
Local officials respond to rumors, concerns about ICE enforcement
As Minneapolis remains in the spotlight, rumors have surfaced on social media about potential large-scale ICE operations in Wisconsin, leading to widespread concern. However, officials in Baldwin, Wausau, and Stevens Point have confirmed to WPR that these rumors are false.
Despite the misinformation, several communities are revisiting their policies to prepare for any potential increase in federal immigration enforcement. The Hudson School District recently communicated with parents about its visitors policy and interactions with law enforcement.
Superintendent Nick Ouellette clarified that there is no special policy for ICE, stating, “We’re not taking a political side of the argument. We’re just saying this is how we handle things.” He emphasized that district employees cannot provide student information to federal agents without a valid judicial warrant or subpoena, in line with federal law.
The Hudson School District, which educates approximately 5,000 students, does not maintain records of students’ citizenship status.
Editor’s note: WPR’s Evan Casey, Corrinne Hess, Danielle Kaeding and Liz Harter contributed.
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