BARRON, Wis. (WRN) — We asked Barron County Sheriff Jodi Kummet about immigration enforcement earlier this month.
Last week, the Barron County Sheriff’s Department said immigration enforcement agents were in the area on February 8, and there was confusion about the scope of their activity. Sheriff Jodi Kummet said they were here one day looking for two subjects. She explained ICE isn’t contacting local authorities ahead of time, or releasing that information to the public ahead of time.
“They don’t have to notify us when they’re here. They just showed up. They didn’t, you know, they didn’t call ahead and said they were coming,” Kummet said.
Kummet said her department would assist ICE, if requested, as is done with any other law enforcement agency.
“Whatever kind of assistance they’re requesting within reason, you know, if they’re requesting assistance helping to pick somebody up that they have a warrant for, we would do that, just like any other agency, you know, if they need help with an investigation, we’d assist them with that also,” Kummet saud,
While residents are familiar with local police, sheriff’s deputies and their uniforms and vehicles, federal agents might be unfamiliar. Kummet said actual law enforcement officers should have identification.
“You have to see their badge and their credentials. They should have some type of an ID saying that what agency they’re with,” Kummet said.
Following the federal immigration crackdown in Minnesota, and the shooting deaths of two protestors by federal agents last month, ICE has become a point of contention and protest. Kummet said anyone protesting should do it lawfully.
“Obviously people have a right to protest, keep it peaceful, and you know, just like I said, don’t interfere with their investigation,” Kummet said.