1. United States
2. Wisc.
3. Letter

I am writing with urgent concern about ICE’s plan to convert industrial warehouses into detention camps across our nation. Over 20 sites have been purchased or proposed—many near schools, hospitals, and places of worship—without consulting local officials or communities. This expansion threatens constitutional rights, community safety, fiscal responsibility, and human dignity simultaneously. Constitutional violations: These facilities operate with minimal oversight. Families, lawyers, and elected officials have been denied access, creating lawless zones where due process disappears. This lack of transparency violates fundamental rights and prevents accountability for documented abuses. Community impact: Proposed facilities would detain up to 9,500 people, straining local infrastructure and resources. Communities deserve input when massive detention operations are planned in their neighborhoods, particularly near schools where children should feel safe. Fiscal irresponsibility: Even immigration enforcement proponents have raised concerns about infrastructure costs and economic disruption to surrounding areas. Taxpayers shouldn’t fund facilities that burden local services without community consultation. Human rights crisis: Existing ICE detention facilities have become synonymous with abuse, neglect, and unaccounted disappearances. Expanding this broken system exponentially increases the risk of humanitarian catastrophe. Bipartisan opposition has already caused several landowners and companies to cancel deals with DHS. This shows that public pressure works. I urge you to: (1) publicly oppose ICE detention camp construction in our state; (2) propose state-level regulations preventing ICE from purchasing and converting warehouses without local approval; (3) use your appropriations and oversight authority to block federal funding for these facilities; and (4) demand full transparency and access for lawyers, families, and oversight officials at any existing detention sites. Our communities, our values, and our Constitution demand action now.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​