Republican Wisconsin gubernatorial nominee Tom Tiffany vowed Wednesday to mandate cooperation between local sheriffs and federal immigration authorities, drawing a sharp contrast with Democrat David Crowley over President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown during their general election debate.Tiffany said Wisconsin law enforcement agencies should be required to honor federal immigration detainers, arguing that coordination with ICE allows authorities to remove illegal immigrants accused of crimes while they are still being held in county jails."I will make sure that local, county and state law enforcement coordinate with federal law enforcement," Tiffany said in the debate hosted by WISN-TV.VIRGINIA SANCTUARY COUNTY IGNORES 1,670 DETAINER REQUESTS OVER 2 YEARS, HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE FINDSRepublican Rep.Tom Tiffany of Wisconsin, a GOP gubernatorial candidate, speaks at a campaign event in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, on August 10, 2026.
(Paul Steinhauser/Fox News)Asked directly whether he would mandate that cooperation by law, Tiffany replied: "Yes, I believe we should.They should honor detainers."Crowley, the Milwaukee County executive, said he would not support a blanket ban on cooperation with federal immigration authorities and agreed that immigrants convicted of crimes should be deported.
But he called for restrictions on ICE operations, including barring contracts between local law enforcement and ICE, requiring judicial warrants for agents to enter jails and prisons and prohibiting agents from wearing masks."We need to make sure that we're protecting people's civil liberties," Crowley said.Immigration enforcement has become an increasingly visible flashpoint in Wisconsin, where ICE arrests surged this summer as the Trump administration expanded its nationwide deportation push.TRUMP REAFFIRMS ICE ARREST POLICY AFTER CONFUSING GUIDANCE SPARKS ALARM AMONG AGENTSTrump's immigration crackdown has increasingly collided with state and local governments, putting she...