A recent article in the Wisconsin State Journal has some interesting statistics - and quotes - about how local governments in the state are working with federal immigration agencies to deport immigrants. The sheriff of Kenosha County, which expects to make $5.5 million in 2008 from its federal contract to hold immigrant detainees, described his county's role like this: "We are a warehouse for the people who are here."

The Kenosha County Jail recently added 120 beds using the money it made from its contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the newspaper reports. The county plans to fill the space with immigrant detainees until its own inmate population grows to take it over.

Wisconsin's Dodge County Jail made $5 million last year from housing immigrant detainees, according to the article.

And other local governments in Wisconsin may soon be forced to cooperate with federal immigration authorities:

Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen recently said his office was considering participation in a federal program that would involve the state Justice Department more directly in enforcing immigration laws.

The Republican attorney general also has offered to be a liaison between local authorities and the federal government.

He has recommended that local law enforcement check the immigration status of anyone booked into jail and report suspected illegal immigrants. That 's standard practice in most lockups around the state, though some use their own discretion in certain cases, Van Hollen spokesman Kevin St. John said.

But some of Wisconsin's law enforcement officials have already decided that blurring the line between their police work and federal immigration enforcement is too problematic.

Brown and Waukesha counties have considered applying for the federal 287(g) program, which would train police officers to question individuals about their immigration status and initiate deportation proceedings against those who are undocumented. In the end, both decided the program's problems outweigh the benefits, the article says. Law enforcement organizations around the country have criticized the 287(g) program because it would discourage immigrant victims and witnesses from reporting crimes.

Milwaukee's new police chief also has said he will maintain the city's current policy prohibiting police officers from asking witnesses for their immigration status.

"If someone shot you, is our first question, 'What's your immigration status?' or 'Can you describe your assailant?'" Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn asked the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel editorial board in January.

Unfortunately, it seems dollar signs have blinded others in Wisconsin and other states to such logic.