MILWAUKEE — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently made two arrests inside the Milwaukee County Courthouse, according to the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office (MCSO).
Sheriff Denita Ball said her office was made aware of ICE's intent to take one individual into custody just before the arrest was made, but was not given advance notice in the second arrest.
The two people arrested were identified by an ICE spokesperson as:
- Edwin Bustamante-Sierre, 27, a citizen of Nicaragua arrested and detained by ICE April 3. Bustamante was convicted in Fond Du Lac County of reckless driving Dec. 5 2024, and is currently charged with endangering safety, reckless use of a firearm, use of a dangerous weapon, and cocaine possession in Milwaukee County.
- Marco Cruz-Garcia, 24, a citizen of Mexico arrested and detained by ICE March 20. Cruz is a known member of the Sureños transnational criminal street gang, who was previously arrested for multiple criminal charges including breaking or entering, car theft, and assault. Cruz was ordered removed to Mexico by an immigration judge Feb. 5, 2020.
Watch: ICE makes 2 arrests inside Milwaukee County Courthouse
Ball said no one from the sheriff's office participated in the arrests.
She noted that it is not uncommon for local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to search available databases for upcoming court hearings of people they are seeking.
Forward Latino, a national non-profit, non-partisan service and advocacy organization headquartered in Wisconsin, said it is investigating the arrests to "determine whether those detained had their constitutional rights violated and whether ICE representatives acted within their legal authority."
Alderman José G. Pérez, Alderperson JoCasta Zamarripa and Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic released the following joint statement:
"It is deeply concerning to learn that ICE agents made an arrest yesterday inside the Safety Building, right next to the Milwaukee County Courthouse. As best we can determine, given the manner in which this individual was detained (not directed by the court), that it was not related to the matter in which he appeared.
"We strongly believe that residents need to be able to access all government facilities (without fear!) to receive services and to have due process. Whether it is the courts/judicial system, legislative bodies, or the executive branch, our residents should be able to freely access all venues without restrictions or any kind of implied threat of detention or arrest.
"A city where all people can access services at all times is a safer city."
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