Manitowoc, WI: Progressive Lakeshore People React to ICE/FBI Raids (Media Release)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 26, 2025

Contact: Jill Iverson, Co-Organizer for PLP and Manitowoc Indivisible

Progressive Lakeshore People React to ICE Raids

MANITOWOC, WI — On September 25, 2025, a number of uniformed individuals from ICE and other state agencies swept into Manitowoc County and took 21 people. We, the leaders of Progressive Lakeshore People, who are residents of Manitowoc, have some serious concerns and questions.

This is the statement from the FBI Milwaukee facebook page:

“Today, FBI Milwaukee and Immigration And Customs Enforcement (ICE) led a joint operation with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals, DEA, CBP, IRS-CI in arresting 21 subjects in Manitowoc County. All the subjects are in the country illegally. Nine of the subjects were targeted for their suspected involvement in the sexual assault and/or trafficking of minor American girls.”

Here are several questions and concerns regarding the ICE FBI post and what we have learned of what happened on September 25:

– Did they have arrest warrants? Was a task force model being used or were those taken into custody presented warrants?

– We have very good reason to believe that there was no actual involvement in assault and trafficking of “minor American girls.” This is clearly a dog whistle meant to inflame the immigrant haters and to further divide people. Where is the proof of this trafficking and assault? ICE has a pattern of telling untruths all over this country in order to quickly fill quotas and garner public approval and we are not convinced that this isn’t more of the same.

– Nine people were suspects, according to the FBI post. What about the others who were snatched? What are their crimes? Many of those snatched were workers here for decades, working, paying taxes and raising their families. Local businesses are suffering because of the employees snatched on September 25, and because other employees are now potentially afraid to go to work. How does this benefit our community? Why not help honest workers find a reasonable path to citizenship? We need them!

– We have learned that two officers from our county sheriff’s department, who may also be federal marshals, took part in the raids. Were members of the City of Manitowoc police force also involved? Some residents saw Manitowoc police cars at certain sites.

-Where are those who were snatched being held? What are their names?

-Are they going to receive their 5th Amendment guarantee of due process?

We view the actions of September 25, 2025 in Manitowoc County as more of the push to fill private prisons and make quotas at the expense of our community. ICE is a modern day legalized Pinkerton Squad attacking workers and trying to divide us. We need union jobs, healthcare, Medicare and good schools NOT ICE terrorizing our communities. Stop wasting our tax dollars!

No KINGS on October 18, 2025, will be bigger than ever because people are fed up! [https://www.nokings.org/]