The recent arrests of two undocumented immigrants by ICE agents at the Milwaukee County Courthouse have sparked community outrage and raised concerns over courthouse safety. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed the arrests of Marco Cruz-Garcia and Edwin Bustamante-Sierra, according to reports from WISN. Cruz-Garcia, a Mexican citizen, was detained on March 20, while Bustamante-Sierra, from Nicaragua, was arrested last Thursday.
ICE provided further information about the detainees, stating that Cruz-Garcia is a known member of the Sureños gang and was previously ordered to be removed. Bustamante-Sierra is currently facing charges including reckless use of a firearm and cocaine possession. Officials did not fail to mention that, at the time of their arrests, neither man had criminal convictions in Wisconsin, as noted by FOX6Now.
A closer look at the courthouse incidents, detailed by the Wisconsin Examiner, reveals that a spokesperson claimed Bustamante-Sierre was convicted for reckless driving and is awaiting trial on several charges, including endangering safety and drug possession. Cruz-Garcia is accused of multiple crimes, including assault and car theft, and had a previous deportation order against him dating back to February 2020. The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office stated that it was aware of the arrests but did not participate or receive advance notice of the second arrest.
In response to the courthouse apprehensions, local officials and activists swiftly voiced their opposition. Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley condemned the incursions as undermining public trust. Tim Muth, a senior staff attorney at the ACLU of Wisconsin, stressed that such arrests could drive immigrant community members away from seeking legal recourse or cooperation with law enforcement, according to his comments to the Wisconsin Examiner.
