Marchers rally against 287g program during Day Without Latinxs and Immigrants march in Waukesha

NOW: Marchers rally against 287g program during Day Without Latinxs and Immigrants march in Waukesha
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WAUKESHA, Wis. (CBS 58) – Thousands of people from across Wisconsin are marching for immigrant rights.

About 5,000 were expected to attend Tuesday’s Day Without Latinxs and Immigrants event in Waukesha. All morning, marchers chanted “Si se puede” or “Yes We Can.”

Marchers walked from Cutler Park to the Waukesha County Courthouse speaking up for immigrants. Back in March, Waukesha Sheriff Eric Severson signed an agreement for the department to work closely with immigration authorities through a program called 287g.

Some deputies are scheduled to get training for the program in June and marchers say they don’t want this in their community.

“It’s an injustice. It shouldn’t – local police should do their job locally and not interfere with ICE,” said marcher Plasida Mendez.

“We are marching not only for solidarity for the immigrants but especially against 287g and Severson. We don’t want hate in our state,” said Voces de la Frontera organizer Jennifer Estrada.

Others showed their support for the 287g program. 

The program 287g is a program that allows law enforcement agencies to work closely with immigration authories. In March, Waukesha County Sheriff Eric Severson signed an agreement. 

"My constituents want me to work corporately with federal, local and state agencies to follow the law and to not release people who are here illegally and commit crimes," said Severson. 

It's a jail model program which allows deputized officers to detain inmates who are subject for deportation. 

"We're doing this in a proactive way to make sure I can continue to honor detainers and do it in such a way that ICE is not under so time pressure to get out here and pick people out here so we can honor detainers and do it more efficiently," said Severson. 

The department plans to implement the program this summer. 

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