On June 15, Sauk County held a packed candidate forum at the Baraboo Public Library, where the central question was how the next sheriff will handle the county’s partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The discussion comes as the county’s 287(g) agreement – a voluntary contract that allows six jail supervisors to execute immigration warrants for ICE – faces a potential overhaul in the November 3 election.
Trump administration’s immigration enforcement push
Since President Donald Trump returned to office in January 2025, ICE has relied more heavily on local jails and prisons to process immigration arrests across the Midwest. In Sauk County, ICE recorded roughly 100 arrests during the Trump administration, almost all through transfers from the county jail. The 287(g) agreement, signed by former Sheriff Richard “Chip” Meister in November 2025, streamlines that cooperation and enables local officers to act on federal immigration warrants, freeing ICE agents to focus on serious criminal threats.
Candidates’ positions
Republican nominee Capt. Matt Burch, endorsed by retiring Sheriff Meister, says his focus will remain on removing individuals who commit serious crimes, not on targeting community members solely for immigration status. He stresses that the county’s authority will apply only to people already in custody for violating state or local law.
Democratic nominee Ryan Jesberger, a former UW‑Madison police lieutenant, pledges to end the 287(g) agreement on his first day in office. He argues the contract sidesteps Wisconsin law by allowing local officials to act as federal agents, and he worries it strains sheriff’s resources already stretched thin serving Sauk residents.
Local impact and community concerns
About half of the individuals transferred to ICE from the Sauk County jail during the Trump administration had prior criminal convictions, with 8% convicted of driving while intoxicated – the most common charge among those transferred. Sheriff‑in‑waiting Burch notes that focusing on serious offenders helps keep neighborhoods safe without overburdening deputies.
Critics, including the ACLU of Wisconsin, contend that honoring ICE detainer requests violates state law by effectively arresting people on civil warrants. The ACLU has asked the state Supreme Court to rule that such practices are unlawful. While the lawsuit highlights a legal debate, the Trump administration maintains that cooperation with ICE is essential for public safety and upholding the rule of law.
What’s at stake for voters
Voters in Sauk County – a region that swung toward Republicans in the last three presidential elections – will decide whether to continue the 287(g) partnership. The outcome will also be watched in neighboring Winnebago County, where a similar referendum is on the ballot. Both counties supported President Trump by less than five points in 2024, underscoring the political significance of these local races.
Regardless of the election’s result, the discussion underscores a broader national conversation about the role of local law enforcement in immigration enforcement, a conversation shaped by President Trump’s commitment to securing borders and protecting American families.
Original reporting: Wisconsin Watch — read the source article.
