According to a Department of Homeland Security list published Thursday, the Wisconsin cities of Madison and Milwaukee are obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration laws.
The agency published a list of all sanctuary jurisdictions in 35 states and the District of Columbia that are “deliberately and shamefully obstructing” enforcement by ICE and other federal agencies.
Dane County and Shawano County are also listed as sanctuary jurisdictions by DHS.
“These sanctuary city politicians are endangering Americans and our law enforcement in order to protect violent criminal illegal aliens,” DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement Thursday. “We are exposing these sanctuary politicians who harbor criminal illegal aliens and defy federal law. President Trump and I will always put the safety of the American people first. Sanctuary politicians are on notice: comply with federal law.”
The list comes after President Trump in April directed DHS and the Justice Department to create a list of jurisdictions obstructing federal immigration law enforcement.
A Madison Police Department email obtained by Vicki McKenna, a talk radio host on 1310 WIBA, and posted on X last week shows the department directed officers not to work with ICE.
Madison police brass tells officers NOT to comply with ICE warrants unless they get PERMISSION from the chief’s “support and community outreach” stooge first—which likely won’t happen. @USDOJ @DHSgov @RepTiffany @SenRonJohnson @RepVanOrden @WILawLiberty pic.twitter.com/5Q1KuUoW6R
— Vicki McKenna (@VickiMcKenna) May 22, 2025
“MPD officers are not to detain a person based solely on an administrative warrant,” the email stated.
DHS said all jurisdictions on the list will be notified on non-compliance and any “potential violations of federal criminal statutes.”
“DHS demands that these jurisdictions immediately review and revise their policies to align with federal immigration laws and renew their obligation to protect American citizens, not dangerous illegal aliens,” the agency said.
