Steil Responds to Whitewater Police Chief’s Call for Help Managing Increase of Migrants in Whitewater

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01) today responded to Whitewater Police Chief Daniel Meyer’s letter to President Biden requesting help with an increase of migrants in the city. In Chief Meyer’s letter, he outlined how law enforcement is struggling to meet public safety demands due to the sudden influx of migrants.  

The response follows a roundtable Rep. Steil and Senator Ron Johnson hosted in November with Walworth County and Whitewater law enforcement, including Chief Meyer, on the impact illegal immigration is having on the community. During the discussion, law enforcement outlined how the influx of migrants has included Mexico's Gulf Cartel infiltrating Whitewater. The cartel is reportedly running illegal operations in the city such as drug and sex trafficking and selling fraudulent ID documents. 

Below are excerpts and highlights from the letter:   

“I am working to force the Biden administration to change course to secure the border and stop the flow of illegal migrants into the U.S. and places like Whitewater. It is evident through the multiple meetings we have had on this topic that your motivation is supporting your officers and serving the people of Whitewater. Illegal immigration is a complex and multifaceted issue that requires a collaborative response, and I appreciate your continued work with my office. 

“Our country has a broken legal and illegal immigration system. Our first order of business needs to be restoring sanity in our border policies and fixing the humanitarian crisis at the southern border. Communities like Whitewater will continue to struggle to properly serve their residents and maintain public safety until our border is secure. 

“As you noted in your letter to President Biden, Whitewater is a city of approximately 15,000 people that has been forced to deal with an influx of 800-1,000 migrants arriving primarily from Nicaragua and Venezuela in the last two years. The addition of roughly 1,000 migrants in your community has strained your officers and their resources, making your department unable to serve your residents properly. 

“The safety of families and children in Whitewater is my priority. The illegal activity in our community caused by the border crisis is why I’m' working to force the Biden administration to change course and implement policies that will secure the border.” 

CLICK HERE to read the full letter.  

###