The President, Governor and the County Executive have declared a State of Emergency to help stop the spread of the Coronavirus. Due to this state of Emergency, on March 15, 2020, U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are no longer housing ICE detainees in the Kenosha County Jail.
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected many people around the world and has now made its way into our country. To safeguard our employees, their families, and the community we serve, all 170 detainees that were being housed in our jail facilities were transported by buses to other Sheriff departments that are currently engaging with ICE housing detainees. ICE detainees have come into the U.S. from around the world and the risks for bringing in new detainees to our jail facilities are far too great at this time.
The exiting of ICE detainees has been talked about and anticipated for many years.
Sheriff Beth has stated that as new administrations came into Washington we have prepared our command staff, county government, and the county board that ICE leaving our custody could happen at any time.
We take pride in the services that we have been able to provide to ICE, and this has made our jail one of the finest in the State of Wisconsin.