Wisconsin Community Member Falsely Accused by DHS Secretary to Appear in Court for Immigration Hearing

(Milwaukee, June 3, 2025)- On Wednesday, June 4, Ramón Morales Reyes, an immigrant essential worker and family man living in Wisconsin, will appear virtually for an immigration hearing before Judge Carla Espinoza at the Chicago Immigration Court. The hearing follows a false and inflammatory public accusation made by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, who claimed, without evidence, that Morales Reyes had threatened to assassinate President Trump.

Though this claim has since been debunked, with another individual, Demetric D. Scott, admitting to forging the threatening letters in an attempt to have Morales Reyes deported, DHS has yet to correct the public record. Scott is the same individual against whom Morales Reyes is scheduled to testify in a criminal case involving armed robbery and aggravated battery, making Morales Reyes eligible for a U visa as a victim and cooperating witness.

The case underscores the dangerous climate in which immigrants can be falsely accused and scapegoated, making us all less safe. Since the accusation, Morales Reyes and his family have received death threats, a direct consequence of the irresponsible rhetoric and failure of accountability from public officials.

In light of these facts, supporters are calling on immigration authorities to release Ramón Morales Reyes on bail immediately, so he can return home to his family and continue to fight his case, attend his U Visa hearing and testify against the man who tried to frame him.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.