3 hours ago • By Aaron Knapp
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Demonstrators in support of immigration reforms in opposition of deportations stage a rally inside the Racine County Courthouse on Monday, December 23, 2013. / Scott Anderson

RACINE — A group of about 20 people gathered at the Racine County Courthouse Monday afternoon to protest federal immigration agents reportedly picking up illegal immigrants outside of court hearings for crimes as small as traffic violations.

Protesters accused the Racine County Sheriff’s Office of sharing information with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials that would make it easier for ICE agents to pick up and deport illegal immigrants. Law enforcement officials have previously denied the practice.

Maria Morales, 69, of Racine, said new restrictions on driver’s licenses have made illegal immigrants especially vulnerable to traffic violations that would bring them into court.

“This is the season to be jolly, ... for families to be together celebrating the holidays. But instead people are being deported right from the court house, right from our law enforcement building,” she said.

Although Morales helped found a Racine branch of immigrant rights group Voces de la Frontera, she said she planned the protest herself without the assistance of any organization.

Beginning outside of the courthouse at 730 Wisconsin Ave. around 4 p.m. and then moving inside due to falling temperatures, the protest took the theme of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” with one protester dressed in a Grinch costume. Protesters had mostly dispersed in less than an hour.

The protest arose from court officials accusing ICE agents of racial profiling by coming to court hearings in Racine on specific days each month when the court provides a Spanish-speaking translator. For years, those due in court for misdemeanor or traffic charges who can’t speak English are scheduled to appear on those days as a cost-savings measure.

In a previous Journal Times article, Sam Christensen, administrative deputy clerk for the Racine County Clerk of Courts office, said he heard in October that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were “here (and had) arrested all these people. I don’t know how they got involved. It certainly wasn’t our agency.”

He said he doesn’t know if ICE agents have been looking up illegal immigrants’ names in Wisconsin’s online public court records system, then showing up on their days in court.

“We have no reason to contact (ICE),” Christensen previously said. “When it comes right down to it, we don’t care if you’re here legally or illegally. We’re here to move people through (the court system) and process their cases ... and get them their services.”

One protester, Racine’s 12th District Alderman Henry Perez, said he suspected the Sheriff’s Office has been passing information to ICE officials.

“We need to be about serving people in the community and making it a safer community for everyone, and the (apparent) actions that the ... Sheriff’s Office has taken do not seem to be something that is beneficial to the community overall,” Perez said.

Earlier this month, Sheriff Christopher Schmaling told the Journal Times he had no idea ICE agents were using minor court hearings to catch illegal immigrants in Racine County.

“This is news to me. I had no knowledge that immigration was doing this,” Schmaling said. “You’d think if that was the case, they would have asked us for assistance (picking up specific people with immigration warrants).”

Racine County District Attorney Rich Chiapete previously said ICE has not been coming to court on specific days and running names.

An ICE spokeswoman would not specifically address the alleged practice, but in early December said the agency “is focused on sensible, effective immigration enforcement that prioritizes the removal of convicted criminals, those who have been previously removed from the United States and those who have outstanding deportation orders. ICE conducts targeted enforcement efforts to focus on these stated priorities, not random sweeps or raids.”

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