Dane County Sheriff Defends Sanctuary Policy After Fatal Incident
In the wake of a tragic event where two young men lost their lives, Sheriff Calvin Barrett of Dane County, Wisconsin, is standing by the county’s sanctuary policy, which aims to shield undocumented immigrants from immigration enforcement actions.
Details surfaced that on July 20, Noelia A. Martinez, a 30-year-old undocumented immigrant from Honduras, was allegedly driving when she caused a fatal crash. One of the victims, Harry Helgeson, died at the scene, while the other, Brady Heiling, was airlifted to a hospital, where he later passed away on July 25.
Officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) noted that Martinez’s presence in the U.S. was facilitated by the county’s sanctuary policy, allowing her to evade federal immigration enforcement when arrested. Under this policy, local authorities do not comply with certain ICE detainer requests for individuals who are undocumented.
DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin expressed her condolences, saying, “Harry Helgeson and Brady Heiling had their entire lives ahead of them, tragically cut short due to a reckless driver.” She criticized the sanctuary policy for enabling such circumstances and highlighted that it contributes to public safety risks.
McLaughlin pointed out that Martinez was allegedly intoxicated and driving recklessly, which led to the deaths of both teenagers. ICE had previously sought to detain her to prevent her release, but the policy in place limited local cooperation. She emphasized that this jurisdiction has a history of not honoring ICE detainer requests.
Following the incident, Sheriff Barrett affirmed his commitment to the sanctuary policy despite the tragic loss of life. Reports have indicated that during Martinez’s arrest, ICE requested that she be held to facilitate potential deportation, but Barrett maintained that it’s up to DHS to secure a proper legal warrant.
Barrett’s stance reflects a broader trend among sheriffs in sanctuary counties, where they often demand comprehensive warrants for detentions, which aren’t always necessary under federal law. Typically, federal immigration authorities can operate under administrative warrants without needing local approval.
Martinez remains in custody and is facing two charges of vehicular homicide, with her next court appearance scheduled for September 22.
