Manitowoc, Madison ICE Raids Result in 31 Arrests Amid Human Trafficking Probe

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted a raid in Madison, Wisconsin, arresting seven individuals at an undisclosed location, with the Madison Police Department only learning of the operation post-completion. Separately, a larger ICE operation took place on September 25 in Manitowoc County, targeting a human and drug trafficking ring, resulting in 24 arrests of undocumented immigrants, some with prior convictions including sexual assault of a child, DUI, identity theft, and possession of narcotics-related equipment. This Manitowoc raid was a joint effort involving ICE, FBI, Border Protection, and other federal agencies, based on victim interviews, many of whom were children. Officials emphasized the seriousness of the charges against some arrested individuals, though ICE has not fully detailed all evidence supporting the trafficking allegations. The raids sparked concerns about the impact on local immigrant communities and industries such as dairy farming. Both operations highlight ongoing federal enforcement actions in Wisconsin, with limited communication to local law enforcement before the raids.