Aug. 4, 2026 10:30a
(WGTD0---Over an hour of passionate and at times emotional discussion preceded a vote by a Racine City Council committee Monday night in support of an ordinance that restricts the use of city resources for federal civil immigration enforcement. The ordinance also prohibits in most circumstances the wearing of face masks by federal agents and other law enforcement officers.
The vote in favor of the ordinance as put forth by Mayor Cory Mason’s administration was unanimous.
During citizen comments, former Racine County Board Supervisor Diane Lange called Trump administration policies on immigration cruel. "The Immigration Customs and Enforcement officers are following very few rules," she said. "They're ignoring due process. They're breaking up families. They are terrorizing communities."
Tom Binger, a prosecutor who also leads the Racine Police and Fire Commission, said there’s a big difference between city police and ICE agents. "ICE agents wear masks and hide their identify," he said. "They do not have body cams and they've demonstrated inadequate training in respect to the constitutional rights of citizens and the use of deadly force. They also actively obstruct efforts to hold them accountable by the media, the legal system and local investigators."
A teenager said her mother self-deported, taking the teen's brother with her. "It's been hard," she said.
Alder Grace Allen broke down in tears when she described an experience she had while teaching last year. A 12 year-old boy suddenly stopped showing up for class and no one knew what had happened to him. "They were deported and it was so awful for them," she said.
The full city council will vote Wednesday night on the committee’s recommendation to approve the immigration ordinance.
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