LETTER: Is ICE coming for the illegal aliens on farms in Wisconsin?

To Ozaukee Press:

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem recently posted on X: “I’m announcing a nationwide and international multimillion-dollar ad campaign warning illegal aliens to leave our country NOW or face deportation with the inability to return to the US.”

Over 10,000 undocumented workers are estimated to be performing the majority of the labor on Wisconsin dairy farms.  Losing undocumented farm workers would greatly disrupt rural economies throughout our nation.

Although it is nearly impossible to fill these jobs with American workers, according to federal statute 8 U.S. Code 1324a, it is illegal to knowingly hire an “unauthorized alien.” Violations are subject to criminal penalties.

Some mistakenly believe that the H-2A visa program can accommodate any undocumented agricultural worker.  However, this program is only for temporary or seasonal employees, and so undocumented dairy workers are ineligible.

The presence of undocumented immigrants on Wisconsin farms is common knowledge. Why aren’t Trump supporters in our state Legislature and congressional delegation publicly calling for ICE raids on the dairy farms in their districts?

Sadly, rather than insisting on comprehensive immigration reform, as well as humanizing those who seek a better life, Noem seems to favor placing shackled and downcast human beings on military transports, and flying them back to the countries they fled.

Terry Hansen

Milwaukee