Wisconsin governor candidates split on ICE cooperation in first debate Republican Tom Tiffany vowed to mandate sheriff cooperation with federal immigration authorities while Democrat David Crowley called for restrictions on ICE operations during their WISN-TV debate. Republican Wisconsin gubernatorial nominee Tom Tiffany vowed Wednesday to mandate cooperation between local sheriffs and federal immigration authorities, drawing a sharp contrast with Democrat David Crowley over President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown during their general election debate. Tiffany Vows To Mandate ICE CooperationTiffany said Wisconsin law enforcement agencies should be required to honor federal immigration detainers, arguing that coordination with ICE allows authorities to remove illegal immigrants accused of crimes while they are still being held in county jails. I will make sure that local, county and state law enforcement coordinate with federal law enforcement, Tiffany said in the debate hosted by WISN-TV.Crowley, the Milwaukee County executive, said he would not support a blanket ban on cooperation with federal immigration authorities and agreed that immigrants convicted of crimes should be deported. But he called for restrictions on ICE operations, including barring contracts between local law enforcement and ICE and requiring judicial warrants for agents to enter jails and prisons. We need to make sure that we're protecting people's civil liberties, Crowley said during the debate.Trump's immigration crackdown has increasingly collided with state and local governments, putting sheriffs and police departments at the center of a national fight over how far local authorities should go to help federal agents carry out the president's mass deportation agenda. The debate also touched on ICE's 287(g) program, which allows designated local officers to perform certain immigration enforcement functions.Cooperation with ICE has also emerged as an issue in sheriff races in Sauk and Winnebago counties ahead of the November election. Wisconsin has simultaneously seen a sharp increase in federal immigration enforcement since Trump returned to office. The latest available federal data showed ICE arrests in the state reaching new highs over the summer, with more than 2,100 people detained between January 2025 and the latest reporting period.Immigration Becomes Key Midterm BattlegroundThe issue has become a complicated one for both parties heading into the midterms. Republicans have continued to campaign on border security and immigration enforcement, while Democrats have increasingly focused their attacks on the Trump administration's deportation tactics and the conduct of ICE agents. The Wisconsin debate unfolded as the national immigration fight intensified on multiple fronts. President Donald Trump confronted New York Gov.Kathy Hochul over immigration enforcement policies following the arrest of more than 2,000 illegal immigrants, criticizing her for letting individuals go back onto the streets. Meanwhile, 15 local New York sheriffs are filing a lawsuit against the governor over a state ban on partnerships with ICE. A Virginia sanctuary county ignored 1,670 detainer requests over two years, according to a House Judiciary Committee finding. Trump has also reaffirmed ICE arrest policy after confusing guidance sparked alarm among agents.The administration's deportation push has kept sheriffs and police departments at the center of the national debate. Tiffany's pledge to mandate cooperation and Crowley's call for civil liberty protections reflect how the immigration issue is playing out in races across the country. Republicans have continued to campaign on border security and immigration enforcement, while Democrats have increasingly focused their attacks on the Trump administration's deportation tactics and the conduct of ICE agents.