Three More Wisconsin Counties Join ICE Enforcement Program

Dunn, Green Lake, and Walworth counties sign 287(g) agreements to allow deputies to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Three more Wisconsin county sheriff's offices have signed agreements with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that allow deputies to enforce federal immigration law under the 287(g) program. The sheriffs of Dunn, Green Lake, and Walworth counties have joined the program, bringing the total number of Wisconsin counties participating to 19 out of 72.

Why it matters

The 287(g) program has been criticized by immigrants' rights and civil rights groups, who argue that it discourages immigrants from reporting crimes and erodes trust between law enforcement and the community. The expansion of the program in Wisconsin raises concerns about its impact on public safety and community relations.

The details

The new agreements allow county sheriff's deputies to arrest people targeted by ICE with administrative warrants under the 'warrant service officer' model of the 287(g) program. Kenosha and Marathon counties have also joined the program under the 'jail enforcement' model, which allows departments to notify ICE of undocumented immigrants detained in county jails. Dodge County, while not part of 287(g), has a contract to hold federal detainees in its county jail, including those arrested by ICE.

  • The Dunn County agreement was signed on February 10, 2026.
  • The Green Lake and Walworth county agreements are still pending.

The players

Dunn County Sheriff's Office

One of the three Wisconsin county sheriff's offices that have signed 287(g) agreements with ICE.

Green Lake County Sheriff's Office

One of the three Wisconsin county sheriff's offices that have signed 287(g) agreements with ICE.

Walworth County Sheriff's Office

One of the three Wisconsin county sheriff's offices that have signed 287(g) agreements with ICE.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency that administers the 287(g) program, which allows local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement efforts.

ACLU of Wisconsin

A civil rights organization that has criticized the 287(g) agreements, arguing that they stoke fear, deter crime reporting, and divert local resources away from addressing public safety concerns.

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What they’re saying

“287(g) agreements do not make anyone safer — they stoke fear and erode trust, deter residents from reporting crime, and divert local resources away from addressing real public safety concerns and the needs of the community.”

— ACLU of Wisconsin (ACLU of Wisconsin statement)

What’s next

The Green Lake and Walworth county 287(g) agreements are still pending approval, and it remains to be seen if any additional Wisconsin counties will join the program in the future.

The takeaway

The expansion of the 287(g) program in Wisconsin raises concerns about its impact on community trust and public safety, as critics argue it discourages immigrants from reporting crimes and diverts local resources away from addressing real public safety issues.