Recent data released by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reveals a significant rise in arrests within Wisconsin, particularly during the months of June and July. The figures depict a sharp increase in apprehensions, with numbers soaring from at least 119 in May to 220 in June, primarily within the state’s southeastern region.
Since the beginning of President Donald Trump’s second term in January 2025, Wisconsin has seen the detention of over 2,100 individuals, a figure highlighted in a recent analysis by Paul Kiefer, a fellow at Wisconsin Watch who specializes in immigration and data reporting.
A notable aspect of these arrests is their location: while 70 percent take place in jails or prisons, a growing number occur in homes, on the streets, or at courthouses. Paul Kiefer commented on this trend during an interview on WPR’s “Wisconsin Today,” stating that social media has been flooded with footage of officers making arrests in driveways and from cars in suburban Milwaukee.
To delve deeper into the ramifications of these arrests, WPR engaged in conversation with Erin Barbato, the director of the Immigrant Justice Center at the University of Wisconsin Law School. Barbato expressed that the surge in arrests has not surprised her, given the volume of cases they are handling. However, the pervasive fear amongst communities is palpable, as individuals worry about being detained while merely going about their daily routines.
The discussion also touched on arrests at the Department of Homeland Security field office in Milwaukee, where individuals in removal proceedings are apprehended during mandatory check-ins. Barbato explained that these check-ins, once routine, have become anxiety-inducing events due to the unpredictability of detainment decisions.
When addressing the fact that over half of those detained have criminal records, Barbato highlighted the complexity of what constitutes a criminal record. She pointed out that many detained individuals have committed non-dangerous offenses, such as driving without a license, which is often a necessity due to the lack of public transit options and the inability to legally obtain a driver’s license without proper immigration status.
The conditions within detention facilities were also scrutinized, especially following the death of a detainee, Lianyong Wei, on August 23. Wei’s death marked the 57th such incident since Trump’s second term began. Barbato described varying detention conditions, noting some facilities’ inadequate infrastructure and the serious health risks posed to detainees, such as the difficulty in obtaining necessary medication.
