Calls for Federal Funding Cuts in Dane County
Representative Tom Tiffany (R-WI) is advocating for the cessation of all federal funding to Dane County, Wisconsin, following the tragic deaths of two high school boys, Harry Helgeson, 18, and Brady Haling, 19, in a drunk driving incident.
According to reports, on July 20th, Noelia A. Martinez, a 30-year-old who is an undocumented immigrant from Honduras, was allegedly driving in the area when the accident occurred.
Harry was pronounced dead at the scene, while Brady was critically injured and later succumbed to his injuries on July 25th. The two had recently attended their Senior Prom together, making their deaths even more heartbreaking.
Martinez, who had a record that included multiple driving offenses, seemed to evade federal immigration enforcement due to the sanctuary policies in Dane County. These policies limit local police cooperation with federal requests to hold individuals who are undocumented immigrants when they’re released from custody.
Tiffany believes that the tragic loss of Harry and Brady highlights the urgent need for action from federal authorities.
“An illegal alien convicted of drunk driving before killing two teenagers in Dane County,” Tiffany remarked in a post. He also directed criticism at Dane County Sheriff Calvin Barrett.
“When Sheriff Barrett warned that the county’s sanctuary policies could endanger lives, he called me a liar,” Tiffany stated. “Now, two teens are dead because repeated offenders have been allowed to remain in the community. How many more lives must be lost before Democrats reconsider this lawlessness?”
Tiffany mentioned that the House had passed HR 875, a bill aimed at requiring federal immigration officials to take custody and deport undocumented individuals convicted of drunk driving. He highlighted that earlier this year, local law enforcement had taken steps to protect the community against such incidents.
However, 160 House Democrats opposed this bill. “This year, 160 House Democrats voted against deporting illegal aliens convicted of drunk driving,” Tiffany emphasized in his remarks.
