MADISON, WI - Opponents of a bill to ban sanctuary cities in Wisconsin crowded the capitol building in Madison Monday.
“I’m on a ticking time clock right now," said Valeria Ruiz Lira.
"If nothing is introduced, if a clean dream magnet is not passed within these next couple of months I could be forced into deportation," she also said.
Ruiz Lira is one of the thousands in Wisconsin who fear the Republican-sponsored bill, AB190, that comes on the heels of an executive order passed by President Donald Trump in January could lead to more undocumented citizens being deported.
“[My children] pray that I don’t get pulled over," said one Milwaukee man giving testimony.
"That is pure fear," he also said.
Essentially, the bill bans sanctuary cities by blocking ordinances and policies that don’t enforce federal or state laws relating to undocumented citizens. The bill would also allow local law enforcement agents to comply with ICE detainer requests.
Those against the bill fear it would lead to families being torn apart, but lawmakers who support it suggest the intent of the bill is to target criminals.
"If we look the other way for individuals that are repeat violent criminals it makes absolutely no sense to continue to allow that repeat violent criminal to continue to do what they are doing," said Sen. Van Wanggaard.
If this bill passes and a city or town doesn’t comply, the Department of Revenue could withhold state aid the next year, between $500 to $5,000 for each day of noncompliance.
