The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in all areas that shape the lives of individuals, families, and communities. As immigration enforcement intensifies across Wisconsin and the nation, recent developments raise profound concerns about the erosion of due process, the destabilization of communities, and the violation of basic human rights.

A recent incident involving Miguel Jerez Robles, a Wisconsin resident and Cuban asylum seeker, illustrates the devastating consequences these enforcement measures can have on individuals, their families, friends, coworkers, and entire communities. In June 2025, Jerez Robles traveled to Miami for what he expected to be a routine immigration hearing. Instead, his case was abruptly dismissed by a judge, and he was seized by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers directly inside the courtroom. He was transferred thousands of miles away to a detention camp in Washington state under an expedited removal order, despite having no criminal record and complying with all legal requirements throughout his asylum process.

This case, reported by Wisconsin Watch, is not an isolated incident. Similar arrests have occurred throughout Wisconsin, including ambush-style seizures during legal proceedings inside Milwaukee courthouses, reflecting a disturbing escalation in immigration enforcement tactics. Once considered secure spaces, immigration courts are now being weaponized to target individuals who engage with the legal system in good faith. Legal experts and immigrant advocates warn that such actions undermine due process and discourage participation in the legal system.

Why This Matters

The League of Women Voters believes deeply in the power of informed participation and the protection of civil rights for all people. Wisconsin’s current immigration landscape shines a harsh light on several urgent and pressing issues:

• Due process and legal integrity: Individuals engaging with the legal system in good faith are facing sudden detention without warning or clear explanation. “The League supports due process for all persons, including the right to a fair hearing, right to counsel, right of appeal, and right to humane treatment.” (League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, Impact on Issues).These are not optional privileges – they are fundamental rights in a fair and democratic society.

• Impact on families and communities: Arrests like that of Miguel Jerez Robles tear families apart and fracture communities that sustain Wisconsin’s economy, culture, and civic life. The human cost ripples far beyond those directly detained.

• Broader climate of fear: When trusted public institutions like courts become arenas for surprise enforcement raids, fear spreads quickly, especially among immigrant populations. This breakdown of trust threatens the very fabric of community safety.

The consequences extend well beyond immigration hearings. When individuals fear detention simply for showing up, they hesitate to seek justice even when they are victims, witnesses, or in desperate need of protection. This silence allows crime to go unreported, cooperation with law enforcement to falter, and basic rights to be denied.

Community advocates and legal professionals warn that this climate of fear does not only endanger immigrant families, but undermines public safety for everyone. When people are too afraid to interact with legal institutions, justice becomes harder to achieve for all Wisconsinites.

Modern Immigration and the DEI Lens

Immigrant rights are human rights. This principle must be central to how we design and evaluate immigration policies and practices. From a diversity, equity, and inclusion perspective, the current approach to immigration enforcement represents a profound threat to the principles of fairness, justice, and human dignity. Equitable treatment under the law is foundational to a healthy democracy. Immigrants, including asylum seekers, should be afforded the same rights to legal recourse, safety, and protection as all other members of society.

How to Support Fairness and Justice

The League encourages Wisconsin residents to engage with this issue through nonpartisan action:

• Stay informed: Read trustworthy, nonpartisan news sources to better understand how immigration policies are affecting local communities

• Support community organizations: Legal aid groups and immigrant rights organizations across Wisconsin are working to ensure fair hearings and family protections

• Raise awareness: Voters and civic leaders can use their voices to advocate for systems that respect due process and reflect shared values of fairness, justice, and inclusion

• Register for a Migra Watch Verifier Training with Voces de la Frontera and Comité Sin Fronteras. These trainings help community members understand how to monitor immigration enforcement activity and support immigrant safety. The training is held in Milwaukee; the exact location is provided upon registration. Help communities stay safe! Register to attend a training here: bit.ly/verifiertrainingrsvp

The evolving approach to immigration enforcement in Wisconsin, including the recent case involving Miguel Jerez Robles, underscores the urgent need to protect fundamental rights, strengthen fairness in our legal system, and reaffirm our commitment to the dignity of every individual. As a nonpartisan organization committed to empowering voters and defending democracy, the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin stands for policies and practices that uphold civil rights and promote inclusive, informed communities.