Dane County, Madison in the Trump administration's crosshairs, labeled 'sanctuary jurisdictions'

Caroline Dade May 30, 2025

MADISON (WKOW) -- The Trump administration is accusing communities across the country of not complying with federal immigration laws. Two cities and two counties in Wisconsin made the list. The Department of Homeland Security is labeling Milwaukee, Madison, Dane County and Shawano County as "sanctuary jurisdictions" and accusing them of "deliberately obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration laws and endangering American citizens."

In April, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Attorney General to compile and publish a list of communities that are not cooperating with immigration authorities. They did that Thursday night. 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 news release. "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." But Wisconsin politicians are pushing back.

Dane County Administrator Melissa Agard released a statement Friday saying the county is not out of compliance with federal law. "It is appalling that the Trump Administration is threatening to cut funding and support for the 600,000 residents who call Dane County home without merit," Agard said. "Our community deserves leadership that stands up for them to protect their health, safety, and livelihood." She also said she will continue to support the county's immigrant community.

Shawano County's administrator, Jim Davel, told the Associated Press he believes the inclusion of his county on the list was a clerical error. "We have no idea how we got on this list whatsoever right at this point," he said. "I think it was just a big mix up, probably some paperwork or something." In a statement to 27 News, Madison City Attorney Michael Haas said the city hasn't gotten formal notice from the Trump administration about the "sanctuary jurisdiction" status or a basis for that designation. "The City is not aware of any legitimate legal or policy basis for designating Madison a 'sanctuary jurisdiction'," he said. "The City does not have jurisdiction over the County jail, and we follow our limited obligations as defined under federal immigration law."

https://www.wkow.com/news/top-stories/dane-county-madison-in-the-trump-administrations-crosshairs-labeled-sanctuary-jurisdictions/article_ead9d6b7-0271-4879-97b0-277438cda2e1.html