Bipartisan Effort to Allow DACA Recipients to Work as Police Officers and Sheriff's Deputies

Wednesday, March 1st, 2023 -- 8:00 AM

(By Rich Kremer, Wisconsin Public Radio) An effort to allow certain immigrants lacking permanent legal status to become police officers and sheriff's deputies has been reintroduced by a bipartisan group of state lawmakers.

According to Rich Kremer with Wisconsin Public Radio, the legislation aims to provide more job opportunities for DACA recipients and address recruiting challenges among law enforcement agencies.

The federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program provides temporary protections against deportation for immigrants who arrived in the United States without legal status before turning 16 and who have lived in the country continuously since at least 2007.

DACA recipients in Wisconsin can become state troopers, game wardens, corrections officers and serve in the Wisconsin National Guard. But current state law explicitly bars them from serving as police officers or sheriff's deputies for cities, villages, towns and counties.

"We trust permanent residents and other people that are lawfully able to work in our country to defend our nation," state Rep. Sylvia Ortiz-Velez, D-Milwaukee, told Wisconsin Public Radio. "So, we should trust them to protect our streets."

Ortiz-Velez is among a bipartisan group of two dozen state lawmakers pushing legislation to change state law and allow police and sheriff departments to hire DACA recipients. 

Law enforcement agencies have been struggling to recruit and retain officers in recent years. Ortiz-Velez said making DACA recipients eligible to fill those positions can help, while also boosting diversity in departments.

"So, this bill would potentially open up access to a new untapped pool of candidates, candidates that will improve department community relations," Said Ortiz-Velez. "It will increase trust to allow for more cooperation with department investigations."

State Sen. Jesse James, R-Altoona, is a former police officer and lead sponsor of the Senate version of the legislation. He said there are around 6,200 residents in Wisconsin who are eligible for the federal DACA program.

"So, even if we can get a few applicants and get them in their academies and make our community stronger by having bilingual personnel working, I think it's a win-win for Wisconsin," James said.

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