Sheriff Says Deputies Not Targeting Undocumented Immigrants

RACINE COUNTY, WI -- Following reports that community leader Ricardo Fierro and several others were arrested and detained by Federal ICE agents in Racine County, the Racine County Sheriff says that deputies with his law enforcement agency have not been the ones profiling or targeting undocumented Racine County immigrants.

“This is not the first time the hard-working men and women of the Racine County Sheriff’s Office were wrongfully accused of profiling/targeting illegal persons in Racine County," Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling said in a prepared statement. "The fact and reality is the Racine County Sheriff’s Office has not aided or participated in any immigration round-ups, nor is anyone being held in the Racine County Jail solely on an immigration detainer or hold."

Fierro, who is considered as an undocumented immigrant by authorities, was best known in the as the former local director of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. In recent years, Fierro served on the City of Racine Mayoral Advisory Board, Immigration Task Force Chairman for the Racine Interfaith Coalition, the Racine Unified School District Middle School Transformation Committee and the RUSD Diversity and Equity Task Force.

Schmaling said there are currently 10 people currently being held in the Racine County Jail on various charges who, following arrest, had ICE place a detainer on them.

Patch File Photo