Milwaukee County supervisors took a step toward tightening control over who can use county parks as a base of operations, advancing a proposal that supporters openly say is aimed at reining in Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity near popular public spaces.
The County Board’s parks committee voted Thursday to move forward with an ordinance that would require written authorization before any law enforcement agency can “stage” in county parks. The move follows reports of agents near the Mitchell Park Domes and now heads to other committees, with the measure potentially landing before the full County Board for a final vote.
What the proposal would do
The draft ordinance would amend Chapter 47 of the county code to define “law enforcement staging” and to require prior written approval for that activity in county parks, according to the county’s fiscal filing. Milwaukee County states in its fiscal note attached to File No. 26-255 that the change would create Section 47.024 and would have no direct county fiscal impact. The file lists several supervisors as sponsors and was placed on the parks committee agenda on Jan. 22, 2026.
Why supervisors say it’s needed
Supervisor Juan Miguel Martinez told FOX6 he saw what he described as ICE staging near the Mitchell Park Domes on two separate occasions and cast the ordinance as a way to protect undocumented constituents who use those parks.
County corporate counsel Scott Brown told the committee that the measure is written broadly rather than calling out a single agency, saying “you can’t treat other units of government differently,” a point he tied to concerns over intergovernmental immunity.
Enforcement questions
The parks committee approved the proposal on a 6–1 vote, and the draft includes a possible $100 fine for violations, FOX6 reported. Milwaukee County Sheriff Chief Deputy Brian Barkow said some local police chiefs told the sheriff’s office they might stop going into county parks if the rule is enforced, even though the ordinance text explicitly preserves routine patrols and emergency responses.
County Executive David Crowley said he plans to review the legislation with corporation counsel before deciding whether to sign it if it reaches his desk.
Next steps
The ordinance has been referred to the County Board’s judiciary committee for more review before any full board vote and subsequent transmittal to the County Executive, according to the county’s legislative filing. Supervisors signaled they expect to keep tweaking the language as it moves through those stages.
What it could mean for parks and public safety
Supporters say the change would give the county a clearer legal basis to push back if federal activity in parks ignores local rules and would reinforce an existing parks policy that emphasizes protecting vulnerable residents.
Critics respond that the ordinance risks straining relationships with law enforcement partners and could make coordinated public-safety efforts more complicated if local chiefs follow through on warnings to pull patrols out of park spaces.
