'No Way, Jose,' Sheriff David Clarke Debunks Milwaukee as Sanctuary County

MILWAUKEE, WI — Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke issued a stiff rebuke to supporters of Milwaukee as a "Sanctuary County" following President Donald Trump's executive orders against immigrant-friendly municipalities issued this week.

In Trump's executive order, Wisconsin cities Milwaukee, Madison and also Milwaukee County face the prospect of losing government funding for providing sanctuary for undocumented immigrants.

Sheriff Clarke, an ardent supporter of President Trump and his policies, reaffirmed his department's commitment to cooperating and working with local and federal law enforcement agencies.

Related Reading: Donald Trump Orders Crackdown On Sanctuary Cities: Milwaukee, Madison, Others Could Lose Federal Funding

"No one will limit my ability to continue to work with the hardworking agents of the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and any other federal, state or local law enforcement agency, in regards to criminal activity," Clarke stated online Wednesday. "Our law enforcement code of conduct states, in a section entitled 'Cooperation with Other Police Officers and Agencies', Police officers will cooperate with all legally authorized agencies and their representatives in the pursuit of justice."

Milwaukee County's Resolution

Milwaukee County passed a resolution in 2012 that effectively establishes protections for area immigrants, and suggests broad discretion for local law enforcement.The resolution states, "while the County Board recognizes that the Milwaukee County Sheriff has broad latitude to administer his oversight over inmate detentions, Milwaukee County may nonetheless adopt a policy regarding ICE detainer requests that respects and values the community contributions of Milwaukee County’s diverse population."

On Wednesday, the Milwaukee County Board hosted a public hearing on reaffirming that resolution, and issuing new language to that effect.

Milwaukee County's new resolution states - in part, "that no matter the threats made by President-elect Trump, Milwaukee County will remain a safe county for all immigrants no matter their current status of documentation, and we will not turn our back on the men and women from other countries who continue to make this county great, Milwaukee County will always prioritize keeping families together and united in all situations."

Sheriff Clarke's Reaffirmation

As much as the County Board aims to reaffirm President Obama-era protections for immigrants and their families, Sheriff Clarke offered his own reaffirmation, taking aim at pro-sanctuary city groups in the process.

"The agents of ICE, just like any of their law enforcement brethren, will continue to enjoy full access to the needed county facilities to perform their lawful duties, and nothing that Voces de la Frontera or the County Board drum up together will change that," Clarke said in a prepared statement. "I will continue to do everything in my power to assist them in their mission to reduce, and some day eliminate, such instances of violent crime on behalf of the lawful citizens of our County."

What's a Sanctuary City and What's Next?

Sanctuary cities and counties are called that because they offer sanctuary to undocumented immigrants, refusing to turn them over to federal officials for deportation. Most sanctuary cities and counties have also passed laws preventing employees from even turning over information to immigration officials.
As part of his controversial immigration plan, President Trump appears to have made good on his promise of blocking federal funding to these cities within his first 100 days of taking office.

The action against sanctuary municipalities is expected to be one part of a series of executive orders on immigration issues that will be unveiled over a couple of days — the most notable of which will be an order formally moving forward with Trump's campaign promise to build a wall on the Mexican border.'
"Build that wall!" was, perhaps, the most frequently chanted slogan at Trump's campaign rallies last year.

Photo via Patch.com