House Dems criticize ICE practices after visiting detention facility

DODGE COUNTY, Wis (CIVIC MEDIA) – Democratic House Representatives Mark Pocan and Gwen Moore spoke out against ICE’s practices after visiting the program’s state detention facility Tuesday.

According to a news release from Representative Pocan’s office, the representatives came to Dodge County Jail to observe the jail’s conditions and the impact of ICE’s policies.

They released a joint statement following the inspection, emphasizing the need for government supervision over ICE’s actions.

We were relieved to see that the Dodge County Jail was well-maintained and provided mental health, recreational and medical services to detainees. However, it was concerning that we couldn’t visit detainees in the facility or receive more detailed information on ICE detainees. 

During our visit, it became clear that the root of the issues are ICE policies, which include denying individuals their right to due process. In this facility, ICE is still detaining Ramon Morales Reyes despite being wrongfully accused of a crime. ICE is also working without transparency to Congress, which was only magnified by today’s visit when we tried to call the local Milwaukee field office number on its website, but the number was disconnected. It is unacceptable for ICE to be inaccessible to Members of Congress.  As Members of Congress, we will continue using all tools available to conduct oversight.

The increased scrutiny of ICE comes after the program’s controversial arrest of Ramón Morales Reyes, who was detained after he allegedly wrote a letter making death threats toward the president. Investigators have since confirmed that Reyes did not write the letter; it was written by another individual with the intent of framing Reyes and having him deported.

Additional details on the arrest can be read here.