A Wisconsin Democrat is boasting about “anti-ICE regulations” and urging voters in Spanish as she seeks statewide office.
Story Highlights
- JoCasta Zamarripa’s ad claims she backed “strongest anti-ICE regulations” in Milwaukee.
- The ad ends with “Vamos a votar!” and a call to vote for Democrats.
- Ad-tracking shows her campaign ran Meta ads on immigrant issues in this period.
- She also pushed driver’s licenses for undocumented residents as a top priority.
Democrat’s Ad Touts “Anti-ICE Regulations” And Spanish GOTV Message
The Gateway Pundit reported that JoCasta Zamarripa released a Facebook ad stating, “In Milwaukee, I passed some of the strongest anti-ICE regulations in the country because we need to keep our families safe and together.” The report says the ad closes, “This November 3rd, vote for me and every Democrat on the ballot. Vamos a votar!” The message links her local record to a statewide campaign push and frames opposition to federal immigration enforcement as family protection.
BadgerBrief’s review of the Meta Ad Library identified six ads from “JoCasta Zamarripa for WI Secretary of State” around this time. Those ads focused on “immigrant families” and “voting rights.” That finding supports that her campaign was actively buying social media placement to reach voters on immigration themes, even as the exact spending and targeting for the quoted spot were not detailed in the public write-ups.
Policy Through-Line: From Milwaukee Rules To Statewide Licenses
WMTV coverage cited Zamarripa saying her “number one priority” would be a law allowing driver’s licenses for undocumented residents. She argued licenses would improve public safety and insurance access. That aim sits alongside her ad’s claim about advancing limits on cooperation with federal immigration enforcement in Milwaukee, creating a clear policy through-line on easing local and state friction with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Additional reporting summarized her push to involve Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley on driver’s licenses, underscoring how her immigration agenda extends beyond city hall talking points. That pitch places immigration policy near the center of a Secretary of State race, even though driver’s licenses in Wisconsin fall under the Department of Transportation, not the Secretary of State’s office. Voters will weigh whether that focus matches the job’s scope.
Why This Matters To Public Safety, Elections, And The Rule Of Law
Local policies that restrict cooperation with federal immigration officers change how jails, police, and city staff respond to detainers and information requests. Advocates say these policies keep families together and build trust with police. Critics warn they weaken enforcement against criminal aliens and shift costs to local taxpayers. The ad’s “Vamos a votar!” line is a standard Spanish “let’s vote” appeal, but its pairing with “anti-ICE” messaging makes election stakes on border and safety issues unmistakable.
MUST SEE… Democrat JoCasta Zamarripa Cuts Crazy Anti-ICE Facebook Ad… in Wisconsin! – Ends Ad with 'Vamos a Votar!' (VIDEO) https://t.co/OvlFdpknwJ #gatewaypundit via @gatewaypundit
— Red Snapper (@RRdunnlaw) October 22, 2026
Campaign ads often simplify complex law. The claim of “strongest” anti-ICE rules lacks citation to specific Milwaukee ordinances in the reporting, but the message is plain: Zamarripa is campaigning on reducing local cooperation with federal enforcement while expanding privileges like driver’s licenses for undocumented residents. That platform contrasts with a national push to restore border integrity and prosecute traffickers, which many Wisconsin voters link to safer streets, lower costs, and respect for the law.
What Voters Should Watch Next
Voters should watch how Zamarripa defines “anti-ICE regulations” in formal policy terms, such as detainer limits, jail access, and data-sharing rules. They should also look at how her office, if won, could advance her immigration goals given state authority lines. Finally, they should compare this platform with the Trump administration’s enforcement stance, which prioritizes cooperation with federal officers and rejects sanctuary-style limits that can hinder removals of criminal offenders.
Sources:
thegatewaypundit.com, associatedpublic.com, badgerbrief.org
