Milwaukee Common Council votes on 'ICE Out' resolution

Common Council votes on 'ICE Out' resolution

Milwaukee's Common Council took a vote on Tuesday to say ICE isn't welcome, and their debate came with a warning from the city attorney.

MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee's Common Council took a vote on Tuesday to say U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement isn't welcome, and their debate came with a warning from the city attorney.

Symbolic statement

What they're saying:

At the end of the debate, all 14 Common Council members who were present voted to approve the resolution. The sponsors admitted the symbolic vote will not stop immigration agents from working in Milwaukee.

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"ICE is not welcome here in Milwaukee, and what is going on federally is completely unacceptable, and it needs to stop immediately," said Ald. Alex Brower. "The community has said they want this taken up immediately."

The proposal said the city opposes mass deportation, and it would also state the city is opposed to how federal immigration enforcement is playing out – calling on the feds to de-escalate. It went even further, calling for ICE to be abolished. 

Milwaukee Common Council debates "ICE Out" resolution

"My question to the author is, what action are we taking today and how does this stop ICE?" said Ald. Lamont Westmoreland. 

"How does it stop ICE? Well I believe that cities all across the country, and they already have been and should be, standing up, making declarations of where we stand," Brower said.

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The proposal hadn't been discussed in committee; alders voted to pick up the resolution right away.

"I’ve seen few issues in my terms on the Common Council, which have generated as much public interest, and frankly public engagement, as this issue has," said Ald. Bob Bauman. "In the meantime, our citizens are wondering – what the hell are you guys doing done there? You all agree with this, why not just act on it?"

"What needs to happen right now today, in my opinion, is for us to consider this, given that ICE could potentially be right on our doorstep," Brower said.

City attorney's warning

Big picture view:

Tuesday's vote was symbolic and not legally binding, but City Attorney Evan Goyke emailed council members with a warning that the resolution could have real repercussions – possible backlash from the federal government.

Milwaukee Common Council debates "ICE Out" resolution

"I would urge members to read the email. There is a consequence here that goes way beyond what we might just comfortably say, ‘that is a small price to pay,’" said Ald. Scott Spiker. If that is real, that’s a real consequence of an urging that I think we all acknowledge might not actually move the feds off the dime."

"This could list us as a sanctuary city. That is a risk … and Donald Trump has said he will attack sanctuary cities. I think the benefits of declaring to our neighbors that we are a sanctuary for them outweighs the risks here," said Brower.

Sign or veto?

What's next:

The proposed resolution next moves to Mayor Cavalier Johnson's office, where he'll decide whether to sign or veto it. The city attorney can share his worries about the possible repercussions with the mayor.