Sometimes the absence of a news story is a story in and of itself. That’s been true in the areas of immigration and tariffs as it affects the Wisconsin economy.
Right here in Washington County, arguably the most red, conservative county in the state, no local story on those two subjects has created headlines. There have been rumors of raids by ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) in the county, but they turned out to be just that: rumors.
And Washington County Sheriff Martin Schulteis did sign a 287(g) agreement with ICE last February to hold criminal non-citizens ending their terms in the county jail for up to 48 hours to turn over custody to ICE.
Similarly, Trump’s other signature issue, higher tariffs to offset what he sees as America being ripped off, have caused uncertainty for Wisconsin businesses, but no screaming headlines.
The uncertainty has caused businesses to hedge on hiring, buying new equipment and plants, and placing large orders along their supply chains. However, while in a holding pattern, most local businesses report that they are down only slightly or are doing all right.
Most of the tariffs that Trump has trumpeted have yet to kick in. They keep getting postponed. An example is the stiffer tariffs that Trump has threatened against Russia because of Vladimir Putin’s increased atrocities against Ukraine. Trump has given Putin 50 days to reach a cease fire before sanctions activate.
Will those tariffs ever kick in? Who knows?
Despite the absence of big impacts from immigration and tariff policy in Wisconsin, the first two Republican candidates for governor in 2026 have echoed their full support for the president on tariffs and immigration. Other major Wisconsin issues, such as soaring health costs (projected to increase by 8.5% in 2026) and declining public health rankings (near the bottom for child immunization) have been untouched.
Meanwhile, at the national level, the pendulum has swung on immigration policy. Give Trump credit for reducing illegal immigration at our southern border. But that change has reduced the number of Americans who say future immigration ought to be reduced. It dropped from 55% last year to about 30% today, according to a Gallup Poll.
In short, the immigration issue is going away. Most Americans realize that we have a severe labor shortage, especially for lower wage jobs in agriculture, hospitality and service industries.
They also appreciate that arrivals to our state, such as Afghan and Hmong refugees, add to our rich cultural mix and have lower crime rates than the general citizenry. They add new life, color, energy and music. They often become job-creating entrepreneurs.
Further, 62% of U.S. citizens disapprove of the Trump Administration’s heavy-handed treatment of undocumented immigrants. Most of us find offensive the creation of detention camps in the middle of the Everglades, effectively a concentration camp with an unfunny name of “Alligator Alcatraz.” Masked ICE enforcers grabbing people at work, in courts, and near or on church grounds or at home has an un-American stench.
At the same time, President Trump’s overall approval ratings continue to erode. From 52% approval after his inauguration to 40% in the latest Quinnipiac University poll.
So, what to do? Let’s insist that the non-stories pushed by the MAGA zealots are not front and center in the looming governor and congressional races in Wisconsin.
We have more compelling issues, such as upskilling the workforce for higher wages, an issue dear to GOP governor candidate Bill Berrien, and the need for more affordable housing, an issue dear to Josh Schoemann, the other announced Republican candidate for governor.
They and other candidates who emerge need to get serious about what Wisconsin needs. For example, a better model for affordable day care; reorganization of the Universities of Wisconsin System amidst enrollment declines; and new strategies for funding conservation strategies across the state.
Wisconsin has a lot of strategic work to do, work that the next governor will need to lead.
