Wisconsin lawmakers visit Dodge County Jail to inspect ICE detainee conditions

Two Wisconsin Democratic members of Congress visited Dodge County Jail unannounced to inspect conditions for ICE detainees but were denied access to speak with them.

Two Wisconsin Democratic lawmakers, U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (D) Madison and Rep. Gwen Moore (D) Milwaukee, made an unannounced visit to Dodge County Jail Monday morning to inspect the conditions of ICE detainees held there, but they were not allowed to speak with any of them.

The pair posted a quick video on their way into the facility, stating, "We're at the Dodge County facility. We're doing our oversight work, making sure that our constituents are well."

Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt expressed his disapproval of the surprise visit, saying, "So, this is not an ICE facility, which a congressperson has the ability to just come in, walk in, whenever they want to do an inspection, which is, I think, what they think happens here."

Regardless, Schmidt agreed to give them a tour of the jail, which houses about 100 ICE detainees under a federal contract, but he refused their request to speak to any of them.

"I can't allow that. I am not an immigration officer; they are not my detainees. I simply house them," Schmidt said.

During a subsequent Zoom news conference, Moore said, "I want to make sure that they're OK. Make sure that they're treated well, make sure that they believe they are getting the kind of representation that they deserve."

Pocan said they were frustrated at not being able to speak with any of the detainees, or even any ICE officials onsite or even later by phone.

"Part of it is the arrogance we've seen from ICE so far this year, the arrogance of someone not calling back a member who calls on his personal cell to the person who just got done talking to the sheriff after we'd toured a facility," Pocan said.

Moore said she plans to be in contact with ICE and intends to visit again within the next week, demanding to be allowed to speak with detainees then.

WISN 12 News reached out to ICE for a comment but has not received a response.