MITCHELL SCHMIDT
President Donald Trump's border czar this week issued a harsh warning to Gov. Tony Evers over recent guidance by the Democratic governor's administration on what state employees should do if immigration officials or other federal agents show up at their workplace — seeming to suggest the Democratic governor could face felony charges for impeding Trump's deportation efforts.
Evers' on Friday rejected the notion that he's broken any laws, noting that such an accusation "should be of concern to every Wisconsinite and every American who cares about this country and the values we hold dear."
The clash comes as Trump's administration ramps up efforts to deport people living in the country illegally, which has set up a slew of lawsuits. Wisconsin Democrats have pushed back against Trump's efforts, while Legislative Republicans have urged Evers to rescind the guidance.
Speaking with reporters in Washington, D.C., Thursday, White House border security adviser Tom Homansaid to "wait and see what's coming," when asked about Evers' April memo directing state workers to contact an attorney if approached by federal immigration agents.
"I meant what I said," Homan said. "You cannot support what we’re doing, and you can support sanctuary cities if that’s what you want to. But if you cross that line of impediment or knowingly harboring or concealing an illegal alien, that is a felony, and we’ll treat it as such."
Officials with Evers' administration have said the guidance was issued to state employees after receiving questions about what to do if federal agents, like those with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, approach them at their workplace.
In a video statement issued Friday, Evers called Homan's comments "chilling" and accused Republicans of spreading misinformation about the guidance, which the governor said was intended to provide consistent instructions to state employees and ensure they have an attorney present to help them comply with federal and state laws.
"I’m used to Republicans and the right wing lying about me," Evers said. "It comes with the job. But, this time, these lies came at a cost. I haven’t broken the law, I haven’t committed a crime and I’ve never encouraged or directed anyone to break any laws or commit any crimes."
"And as disgusted as I am about the continued actions of the Trump Administration, I am not afraid," Evers said. "I have never once been discouraged from doing the right thing, and I will not start today."
The administration's memo urges state employees who are approached by immigration agents to stay calm and notify a supervisor, ask agents to identify themselves or provide documentation, contact their office's attorney, decline to answer questions and prevent agents from entering nonpublic areas or gaining access to paper files or computer systems.
In a letter to Evers earlier this week, legislative Republicans urged the governor to rescind the guidance "to avoid future conflicts between state and federal authorities, to assist our brave men and women in law enforcement, and to ensure the Trump administration’s goal of deporting violent illegal immigrants is given the full assistance of the state of Wisconsin."
The Republican-controlled Assembly earlier this year passed a bill that would require county sheriffs to comply with federal immigration officials. Evers has said he will likely veto the proposal.
Clashes over Trump's deportation efforts reached a head last month in Wisconsin after the FBI arrested Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan, who is accused of helping a man evade immigration authorities.
Dugan has been charged with concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest and obstructing or impeding a proceeding.
She is accused of escorting Eduardo Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer from her court through the jury door after learning that ICE agents were in the building and seeking his arrest. Flores-Ruiz, who court documents say illegally reentered the U.S. after being deported in 2013, was taken into custody outside after a foot chase.
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