(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
KENOSHA COUNTY, Wis. – Kenosha County Sheriff David Zoerner is facing mounting criticism after refusing to join a federal 287(g) agreement, a program that allows local law enforcement agencies to work directly with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to identify and remove criminal illegal immigrants.
Criticism From Residents
Philip Dziki, a Kenosha County resident, has spent months trying to get a response from Zoerner on the issue. He says his repeated inquiries have been ignored, likely for political reasons. “Being ignored maybe because the Sheriff doesn’t want to cause political waves with the Hispanic community. Re-election trouble? Maybe! I believe if the KCSO had such an agreement, and closer working relationship with ICE, they would be able to check and hand them off quickly for deportation,” Dziki told KCE.
Dziki, a supporter of Trump-era immigration policies, said he believes all illegal immigrants should be removed, with “bad guys” who commit crimes taking top priority. He accused Zoerner of talking tough on border issues during his campaign but doing nothing locally to back it up.
Zoerner’s Political Past
Critics argue Zoerner’s stance is not surprising given his political history. Before switching parties to run for sheriff as a Republican, Zoerner ran as a Democrat and was even photographed joining liberal marches wearing a “vagina hat.” Many conservatives now openly call him a “RINO” — Republican In Name Only — who is more concerned about winning votes than standing firm on conservative principles.
Solis Calls For Action
Kenosha County District Attorney Xavier Solis has explicitly asked for the Sheriff’s Office to enter into a 287(g) agreement, but his request was ignored. Solis has said publicly that such an agreement would give deputies the tools they need to better protect the community by ensuring violent offenders are turned over to ICE rather than released. Despite the DA’s call for stronger cooperation, Zoerner has dug in his heels and refused.
Press Release Instead of Answers
Instead of responding directly to KCE’s questions, Zoerner issued a broad press release to all media outlets just before deadline. In it, he acknowledged familiarity with the 287(g) program but said “based on current conditions, at this time, the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office is not participating.” He claimed the decision was made in consultation with county administration and suggested that it may not be in “the best interest of the taxpayers.”
Zoerner pointed out that 24 inmates with ICE detainers are currently being held in the county jail, but refused to address the larger issue — the many undocumented immigrants who are released back into the community and later commit new crimes.
Political Influence
Multiple sources say County Executive Samantha Kerkman, who is close to Zoerner and is frequently seen riding in his squad car alone, convinced him to back away from the agreement to avoid alienating Democratic voters ahead of the election. KCE reached out to Kerkman for comment, but she never responded. Critics say her silence signals political calculation rather than leadership.
While Zoerner stalls, five other Wisconsin sheriffs — in Brown, Fond du Lac, Manitowoc, Marquette, and Sheboygan counties — have already signed onto the program, proving it is possible to act decisively.
Losing Conservative Support
The sheriff’s refusal to take action has created a sharp backlash among conservatives, who accuse him of betraying the very platform he ran on. Many see his press release as nothing more than political cover. For voters like Dziki, the message is clear: Zoerner’s words about securing the border and keeping the community safe are “all talk, no action.”
77 Responses
I’ve always knew as well as others Sheriff Zoerner is a liar, a fake, total Rino as well as Samantha Kerkman.
The local Grand Old Party better get off their asses and vote these people out of office as they do not care about your safety, the safety of your loved ones or property.
That Zoener and Kerkman are Democrat infiltrator posuers with full mainstream GOP support just to get an “R” win in a sea of Democrat diarreah is standard Democrat strategy today in many local elections in purple states.
Because Kenosha has a very bad national reputation from the 2020 riots – where the all Democrat officialdom (Judge Schroeder excepted) celebrated the rioters or remained quisling silent, while totally dissing the Citizens, then promoted prosecuting Kyle Rittenhouse. In today’s more polarized environment, ICE would have an easy layup to make a national expose of Zoerner. Hopefully, Newsmax can get the ball rolling by making him a poster boy segment on their weekly primetime lineup. That would be a nice splash of karma into the Kenosha kettle.
The fact is, despite what Trump and Fox say, far fewer immigrants and asylum seekers are criminals in any sense than black or white US citizens. ICE typically does not go after people guilty of crimes. ICE most often functions as a government sponsored kidnapping ring, breaking apart and imprisoning as well as deporting hard working families who contribute to our communities and country in countless ways. A true conservative can see this plainly, as many farmers across the country who have lost their workforce to ICE and are losing their farms do. A true conservative is not bound to the will of the president of anyone else, but to his discernment and conscience. As sheriff, Zoerner is bound to his duties to the community as well, and his choice to not serve as a pawn to ICE but rather as a servant of his community is a measure of his courage, his true conservativism, and his dedication to his duties to his community.
Your uninformed
You’re.*
Maybe when something happens to him or close family that involves a illegal he will open his damn eyes.
Statistically it is more likely an American citizen will commit a crime.
I’d like my vote back. Hopefully there’s a recall election.
Trump is the only one not afraid to keep his promises in this country! Every other elected official are a bunch of pussies when it comes to getting tough on so many critical subjects and afraid for their reflection, well, FUCK THEM!
Trumps a rino as well. Hes gone against EVERYTHING he ran on. Hes isreal first. There are no mass deportations. The war in Ukraine has has flourished. And dont get me started and the jew epstien files….
2 wings of the same bird.
The result of your IQ test are back.
It was negative.
I agree, I voted for the guy and he’s been lukewarm at best.
You’re a special kind of stupid aren’t you?
Trump certainly does, but with mass TDS headwinds. The Electorate is split approxiamately 52/53-Right, primarily Male, to 47/48 Left, primarily Female. However, the 47/48 Left have superior organization and infiltration in the Federal Justice and State/Local level branches. They despise Maga and any particularly any male they do not “control”…and have zero Constitutional loyalty. Also, the 47/48 Left has a majority of Local County Clerks and Sectys of State , primarily consisting of TDS Females of the Bitter Tart Tootz Rachel Maddow or the Overweight Low/Zero Pulchritude [UGLY] Archetypes) across purple states that rig and certify results, as forensically proven by multiple sources in 2021-2022, but refused SCOTUS certiarori as two Republican justices were under Left mob threat without sufficient Maga “Rittenhouse-Style” Security to ensure they could safely discharge their proper Constitutional duties as was done in the attempted 2000 Gore Rig in FL. But one positive came from the 2020 Rig – the weak, flim-flam Mike Pence destroyed his future resulting with a far superior prospect in JD Vance.
Well said.
James David Vance, the “never Trump” guy?
You need to use some common sense.
WTF? This warrants an interview Mr. KM.
Fake, phony, asshat, douchebag, are just a few words that define David. Get the godamned illegals out.
I can’t believe this. I voted for you 🙁
One and done.
Has anyone asked about when the Sheriff’s Department housed ICE inmates before 2020? Maybe how ICE treated the dept and what they were requiring of them at that time has something to do with why he doesn’t want to take them back in. Let’s get the full story.
Nobody’s asking him to take them in, merely hand them over.
Yup, back then there was a pandemic known as Covid. They often crossed over, bringing pests with them. Most of the individuals in their sector contracted Covid, so it made sense to send them back to Immigration
Comment didn’t post. Why?
E
Back the brown and the blue. They protect us?
None of this makes sense. These Republicans who think they’re being clever by pandering to the left are in for a major backlash. Goodbye, Dave and Sam. Thanks, it was nice while it lasted.
You all will not earn reelection !!
That’s three black eye stories on Zoerner alone just this week !!
One each on the Kerkman’s.
Thank God for guys like Kevin Mathewson !!!!
We are not getting this reporting anywhere else up or down the dial here in Kenosha !!
I’ll withhold final judgment because some critical details are missing. The biggest one: Why? The only answer we have is a vague “press release” that says participation in the program was held off because of concerns raised by county administration that suggested the program might not be in the best interest of Kenosha County taxpayers.
Fair enough. But that’s the headline. Where’s the details? On its surface the “headline” may be plausible. At one time Kenosha County made quite a chunk of change housing federal prisoners, including ICE detainees but the ICE program ended during the pandemic five years ago. Maybe there are liability issues. Maybe it’s a losing proposition for the county. In any event, it shouldn’t be that difficult to get a substantive answer. Kenosha County law enforcement has a long history of cooperation with federal authorities, including ICE. If there truly are concerns, it shouldn’t be like pulling teeth to hear them. And the sheriff needs to address them personally, not in a “press release.”
What the fuck Zoerner
Zoerner’s actions disrespect the grave of Deputy Frank Fabiano, who was murdered while on duty, by an illegal alien.
This is more outrageous than Sheriff Beth taking a knee for BLM.
Time for Zoerner to pack it up. Take the money hungry Smetana with you. Both suck.
The Democrats rejoice when the RINOs deceive.
Vote “No” to Sanctuary Cops
David Beth all over again
Another freaking RINO! We do not want illegals here and Zoerner needs to follow the FEDERAL government and cooperate with ICE! Shame on me for voting for this guy
They r the hard working people… I dont see Americans out there doing landscaping all u see is Latinos…
Your comment has nothing to do with them for a single the law, and if the wages for landscapers weren’t artificially low, you would see a much more diverse segment of the population doing that job, and others. You can’t complain about who’s doing a job when you celebrate who shouldn’t be here, doing it in the first place.
Completely false, I don’t usually racially profile but I’ve worked a fair share of construction/landscaping and lemme tell you I got paid pretty good, but usually Americans wouldn’t last more than 3 days, they can’t handle the heat and intensity and I will plant my feet in the ground and say that whole heartedly, and the wage wasn’t bad at all, the whole team was Latinos
All nationalitys of migrants were hard working people. Take notice, that due to your behavior and non- acceptance of American culture and traditions – Hispanics are the first nationality to be expelled from the USA.
Not true. Yesterday, 450 undocumented South Koreans were detained in Georgia while working for Hyundai.
Regarding Hispanics, Mexico allows everyone and everything to pass through its border, and their government, military, and law enforcement are being bribed, showing no concern for how this is affecting our nation. Mexicans are hardworking people; however, they should abide by the law just like everyone else.
Maybe the older Mexicans but the younger ones are thugs. Regardless, they all committed a crime the second they snuck in. Send them all packing
Our DA wants this agreement!!
Think of all the resources and money saved in court and ADA expenses, if the Sheriff can simply pass them off to the feds, and then they are gone!!
Sign the 287(g) agreement, Sheriff! Please!
His tip-toeing around this is all about making sure he gets re-elected. Hopefully citizen’s are turned off by his lack of a spine and elect someone else.
Can’t wait for these scum bag illegals to get outta here
Auwww that hurt some feelings
Is this a lack of resources, or backstabbing the campaign promises? When it comes to resources, we see the boss driving a luxurious SUV at the county’s expense, sending extra deputies and even a lieutenant to confront the supposedly very dangerous Kevin. The funny thing is, you won the election thanks to this bad hambre. Even worse, recently I had to go to the courthouse, I counted eight deputies more focused on their phones than on providing security. Yet somehow, there aren’t enough resources to fully cooperate with ICE.
Please have the courage to give Mathewson the opportunity to interview you, if you have something to say or someone to hold accountable. Otherwise, do not count on the Republican Party’s support next year.
They’re here until mid-fall.
DA’s Office? what a shit-show
A shit show that started after you left, right? Before it was all great, right?
Yep Zoermer fooled us too.
That lying rino clown has to go.
We voted to get the illegals out! Get with the program or sit down and get hell out of the way!
We need to deport some poles while we’re at it.
No I like Polocks
LOL
He has been a HUGE disappointment! Why are there all these illegals not being held for ICE? Instead, they are being given signature/cash bonds, and get to walk right out the door!
Good for him, don’t listen to these rapepublicans, there incompetent decisions are plummeting this country to its knees, trump ran on fake promises and bs. Went from supporting him to absolutely hating him. Lower grocery prices, Bs. No tax on OT, bs. Hides from the Epstein case? Changes the name of the gulf? And the department of defense? Like why are we worried about wtf the names are they still serve the same purpose? What a ridiculous president, dealing with absolute nonsense. We have many issues at hand that are being ignored because he’s too worried about making the 200m dollar ballroom. Losing immigrants is taking a huge hit for our taxes we have the top of the line police force to handle criminals of any kind in WI, illegal or not. We have the beautiful second amendment for those “afraid” of illegals when most of them just want to make a living here. They don’t abuse systems, they pay taxes, there is concrete proof but these republicans don’t like to do their research or follow “Fox News” who was also sued for defamation after it aired false allegations of the 2020 election, we are a country united but I guess these racist, r4pe supporting facists don’t understand that, also that citizens are more the 90% likely to commit a crime and not an illegal residing in the states.
Lmao, nice try there 🤣 Your name calling is cute. Too bad the illegals will get deported as they should, lazy free-loaders 😉
I mean the reason you’re here is because they decided not too, keep ignoring the facts bud. Your president is incompetent, always has been
have them commit their crimes in their own countries, Pedro
Samantha is soft-hearted. She refused to fight against the mask mandate during the great scamdemic because a few had called her and told her they were scared. Crybabies won with the soft-hearted. We need facts.
will there be republican candidates to vote for that could oppose Zoerner and Kerkman?