The memo from Gov. Tony Evers’ administration sent Friday afternoon comes as Trump’s administration has ramped up efforts to deport people living in the country illegally, setting off a string of lawsuits and resistance among Democrats.
The five-point memo tells state employees to remain calm and immediately notify their supervisor. After asking agents to identify themselves and to present documentation of why they are there, the guidance says the state worker should contact their office’s attorney.
The memo advises state employees not to answer questions from agents, not to give them permission to enter nonpublic areas and not to give them access to paper files or computer systems without first talking with an attorney.
How is this guidance anything but just basic common sense?
If someone comes up to you and claims that they’re an ICE agent, the first thing you need to do is see their identification to verify their claims. Anyone can come up to you and claim to be anything. You need to know it’s true before allowing them in a non-public area.
Also, hell yes, notify your supervisor. They need to know that something is happening that will require their attention. Just because someone is an ICE officer doesn’t mean they can do anything they want. The supervisor needs to be involved in case those ICE agents decide to go too far in their actions.
And of course, you should ask for documentation on why they are there. Again, just because ICE doesn’t mean they can just come in and do what they want. Their authority to search and seize anything is limited by the constitution and, outside of certain situations, needs to be defined in a warrant.
Finally, yes, you have the right to remain silent even with ICE agents and you should always exercise that right. Do not speak to any cop without an attorney present. Ever.
The only people that would be annoyed by the governor giving this guidance are fascists trying to undermine the rule of law.
U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, who represents northern Wisconsin and is considering a run for governor in 2026 and kisses the boot, said the memo amounts to “ordering state employees to block ICE from doing their job.”
Fixed the article.
This dude rocks. Thank you, Governor Evers.
