The Milwaukee Common Council introduced the ICE Out Milwaukee legislative package, according to a Feb. 11 statement.
The legislative package includes measures aimed at increasing transparency and support for new residents in the city. The council said that two resolutions from the ICE Out Milwaukee legislative package have already passed the full Common Council. An ordinance requiring all law enforcement officers to operate unmasked with visible identification has cleared the Community and Economic Development Committee and is scheduled for a final vote on March 24, according to Manual.
The Milwaukee Police Department updated its policy this month to prohibit officers from masking their faces during public interactions and official duties. This voluntary change supports a key goal of the ICE Out Milwaukee package, according to Manual.
Lead sponsor Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic explained that although the city is not equipped to handle federal immigration policy, Milwaukee has a duty to support new residents. “The proposed Office of New Milwaukeeans would coordinate child and family assistance programs, economic development initiatives, and integration support to help newcomers settle successfully in the city,” Dimitrijevic said, according to Manual.
Further action on the legislative package is expected as additional measures move through committee review.
