U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is actively expanding its operational footprint in Milwaukee, a move supported by a substantial increase in federal funding. The agency has initiated a search for new office space in the city, but federal officials have provided limited information about the facility's specific purpose or location, creating uncertainty among local communities.
This development coincides with the near completion of another new ICE facility on Milwaukee's northwest side and a noticeable increase in immigration enforcement actions across Wisconsin. The expansion is part of a broader national strategy to increase the agency's capacity, which includes hiring 10,000 new agents.
Key Takeaways
- The U.S. government is seeking new office space in Milwaukee for ICE administrative and law enforcement operations.
- Federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and the General Services Administration, have not disclosed details about the new lease or the office's function.
- A separate, newly renovated ICE office on Milwaukee's northwest side is nearing completion, raising questions about the agency's long-term plans in the city.
- The expansion occurs alongside a significant budget increase for ICE, which now stands at nearly $30 billion annually.
- Immigrant advocacy groups have reported a rise in enforcement activities in other Wisconsin cities, including Madison and Manitowoc.
Federal Search for New Office Space Begins
On September 16, a notice was posted on a federal government contracting website soliciting offers for office space in Milwaukee and 18 other U.S. cities. The request specified a need for furnished facilities to support what it termed "administrative operations for law enforcement."
According to the posting, the government is looking for approximately 11,500 square feet of office space. The requirements include at least one conference room, a server room, and accommodations for about 70 desks. National media outlets later confirmed that the search was being conducted on behalf of ICE.
Office Space Requirements
The government's request outlined specific needs for the new facility, including:
- Size: A minimum of 11,500 square feet.
- Capacity: Furnished space for approximately 70 desks.
- Amenities: At least one conference room and a dedicated server room.
- Hours: Standard operating hours from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, with a possible extension to 8 p.m.
Despite the public posting, both the General Services Administration (GSA), which manages federal real estate, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees ICE, have remained silent on the progress of the search in Milwaukee. Questions regarding whether a lease has been signed, the potential location, and a timeline for opening have not been answered.
Official Statements Provide Few Details
When asked for comment, federal agencies offered statements that did little to clarify the situation. A GSA spokesperson provided a general statement about its mission.
"GSA is committed to working with all of our partner agencies to meet their workspace needs. GSA remains focused on supporting this administration’s goal of optimizing the federal footprint, and providing the best workplaces for our federal agencies to meet their mission."
A response from a Homeland Security official was more direct but equally unspecific, tying the need for more space to increased hiring.
"Is it really news that when a federal agency hires more personnel that they need more space? Thanks to the Big Beautiful Bill, ICE will be adding 10,000 new law enforcement professionals to our ranks, thus the need for more infrastructure to continue to Make America Safe Again."
This lack of transparency has led to speculation. Some local real estate brokers believe the new office could be intended for ICE attorneys, though this has not been officially confirmed.
Existing and New Facilities in Milwaukee
The search for additional office space comes as ICE already manages multiple locations in the city. The agency's primary downtown office is located at 310 E. Knapp St., in a building owned by the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE).
Meanwhile, a new ICE facility on the city's northwest side appears almost ready for occupancy. The building, located at 11925 W. Lake Park Dr., has undergone several months of renovations. This site was the focus of community protests in January. Developers recently filed an occupancy permit application, which is a final step before the building can be officially opened after a city inspection.
ICE Detention Practices in Wisconsin
While ICE maintains offices in Milwaukee, individuals detained by the agency in Wisconsin are not typically held in these facilities overnight. The primary holding center for ICE detainees in the state is the Dodge County Detention Center. Some local sheriff's departments also have agreements to hold individuals for a few days until they can be transferred to ICE custody.
It remains unclear whether ICE plans to operate the new northwest side office, the downtown Knapp Street office, and the potential new leased space simultaneously. An MSOE spokesperson noted that ICE signed a one-year lease extension for the downtown office in April 2025, suggesting a continued short-term need for that location.
Increased Enforcement Actions Reported Across Wisconsin
The expansion of ICE's physical infrastructure in Milwaukee is mirrored by an increase in enforcement operations throughout the state. Immigrant rights organizations have been tracking and responding to a growing number of arrests.
Christine Neumann-Ortiz, executive director of the advocacy group Voces de la Frontera, highlighted a recent incident in Madison. On October 2, seven construction workers were arrested at a single residence. According to Neumann-Ortiz, it appeared that ICE was initially targeting only one individual but arrested everyone else present at the time.
Questions Surround Manitowoc Arrests
Further questions have been raised about a large-scale operation in Manitowoc on September 26. In a joint operation, ICE and the FBI arrested 24 individuals. The arrests were publicly linked to a "transnational human trafficking and drug trafficking ring."
However, advocates for immigrants' rights report that many of those arrested were dairy farm workers who were on their way to work. Most of the individuals detained have not been charged with the serious crimes of human trafficking or sexual assault.
Of six people publicly named by DHS in connection with the operation, several cases raised questions:
- Jose Hilario Moreno Portillo: Online court records indicate he was already in jail at the time of the ICE operation.
- Unnamed Individual: One man was listed as having an identity theft conviction, but a review of court records in Wisconsin and Iowa reportedly found only a 2009 ticket for driving without insurance.
- Other Individuals: The remaining five named individuals had prior convictions for offenses including hit-and-run, disorderly conduct, driving under the influence, and possession of narcotic equipment.
As of October 8, three of the six individuals named by the government were still listed as being in federal custody. The specific connections of those arrested to the alleged trafficking ring remain largely unclear.