Wisconsin Supreme Court Pauses Lawsuit Over ICE Detention Holds

The Wisconsin Supreme Court issued a stay in a lawsuit filed by the immigrant rights organization Voces de la Frontera, which challenges the use of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention holds at local jails. The lawsuit argues that holding individuals in jail for up to 48 hours without a warrant constitutes an illegal arrest. The legal action specifically targets sheriffs in Brown, Kenosha, Marathon, Sauk, and Walworth counties.

The state court paused proceedings to avoid potential uncertainty and conflict while a federal appeal is pending. The targeted sheriffs are attempting to move the case to federal court, despite a previous ruling by U.S. Judge William Conley stating that the petition to transfer the case was filed too late.

The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals is now handling the sheriffs' appeal. The federal court is expected to receive briefs from the sheriffs by August 5 and a response from Voces de la Frontera by September 4.