(WGTD)---Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling is being accused by an immigrant rights group of kowtowing to the Trump administration by honoring ICE detainer requests.
Schmaling posted to Facebook Monday the names and mugshots of ten Latino county jail inmates who currently are awaiting trial on various charges, saying they’re the subject of deportation orders from immigration authorities.
In a news release, Schmaling said he believes he has an obligation to cooperate with ICE.
A short while later, Voces de la Frontera issued its own release, accusing Schmaling of spreading what it called “racial animus.”
It’s demanding that Schmaling refuse to accept warrantless ICE detainer requests, and stop contributing to what it calls Trump’s campaign of terror against immigrant families.
In recent weeks in Racine, ICE agents have picked up for deportation a half-dozen or so men, including one who’s been described as a leader in the Hispanic community.
In his defense Schmaling said his office has not aided or taken part in any immigrant round-ups, adding that no one is being held in the Racine County Jail solely on an immigration detainer or hold.
A spokesman for the Racine Police Dept. said last week that it has no working relationship with ICE.
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