Earlier this year, a Wisconsin judge found themselves in the national spotlight allowing an illegal immigrant to evade arrest. Now, a Wisconsin Sheriff is rejecting an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer for a woman accused of homicide, a controversial tactic that has made ICE label the county a ‘sanctuary jurisdiction’.
Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett denied an ICE detainer for Noelia Martinez-Avila, claiming that deporting Martinez-Avila before she faces trial would allow her to escape accountability.
“Deporting someone before they face trial allows them to evade that accountability — it’s essentially a ‘get out of jail free’ card,” Barrett said.
Supporters of a more restrictive immigration policy, including Representative Tom Tiffany, R-Wi. were quick to condemn the decision by Sheriff Barrett. (RELATED: Progressive Wisconsin Congressman Caught up in ‘Cyberstalking’ Allegations on X)
ICE Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin accused Dane County of being a ‘sanctuary jurisdiction’ and claimed the county has released violent criminals in a statement released on July 27th.
“Unfortunately, this sanctuary jurisdiction has a history of not honoring ICE arrest detainers often leading to the release of murderers and other heinous criminals,” McLaughlin said. “Under Secretary (Kristi) Noem, these precious victims will not be forgotten, and we will fight for justice.”
The tragic incident, which resulted in the deaths of 18-year-old Hallie Helgeson and 19-year-old Brady Heiling, is not the first time that Wisconsin has been in the national spotlight this year because of immigration controversies.
In May, Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested after prosecutors claimed that she actively hindered ICE agents attempting to detain someone in her courtroom. Prosecutors claim that Dugan helped the defendant and his lawyer leave through a back door to evade arrest.
