Roys: Trump Tries to Distract From ICE Failures With Noem Firing

MADISON – After Donald Trump fired Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem amid controversy surrounding his rogue paramilitary force, ICE, State Sen. and Democratic candidate for governor Kelda Roys issued the following statement:

“Kristi Noem embodied every part of Donald Trump’s cruel and inhumane agenda: shooting and assaulting Americans, directing masked agents to terrorize our communities and rip families apart, kidnapping and incarcerating children, and harassing hardworking Americans who did nothing wrong. Kristi Noem was an awful pick, but her firing is simply another Trump distraction that changes nothing.

Noem is a tiny part of the problem. Americans will not be safe until we abolish ICE and replace it with a fair, accountable immigration system that’s mission is public safety. Trump’s ICE is incompatible with a free society, and every day that this paramilitary force acts with impunity, is a day that Americans are less safe and less free.

Replacing Noem with Markwayne Mullin doesn’t fix the rot at the center of ICE, which is that they view their mission as doing Trump’s bidding and punishing his political enemies, rather than enforcing our nation’s laws.

As an attorney, I know we can have secure borders and enforce our immigration laws – we did this for a century before the creation of ICE, and we can do so again. Every single ICE agent and administration official that broke our laws and violated people’s rights must be held legally accountable. A real immigration policy that cared about public safety would focus on removing violent criminals, not disappearing drywallers and daycare workers and kicking bystanders holding iPhones.

Americans are increasingly opposed to Trump’s ICE, and we will continue to protest, to organize, and to win elections. Wisconsin needs a governor who will stand strong against ICE: who won’t mince words, confuse warrants, or back down in the face of threats.”

About Sen. Kelda Roys

A lifelong Wisconsinite, born in Marshfield and who spent her early years in rural Taylor County, Kelda is running for governor because she knows Wisconsin can be a place of opportunity and fairness – but right now we’re in the fight of our lives for our democracy and our kids’ future. For 25 years, Kelda has been a changemaker. She has fought for Wisconsin as a state senator, small business owner, attorney, champion for women’s rights, and mom/stepmom of five. She has spent her life putting people first – fighting for a stronger Wisconsin and never quitting on tough problems until they’re solved, including expanding health care, defending our rights and freedoms, and fighting to make life more affordable for Wisconsin families. As our Governor, Kelda will be relentlessly focused on building a Wisconsin where everyone has the freedom to thrive.

Friends of Kelda Roys

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.