Alderman Camacho Issues Apology for Spreading ICE Misinformation

Waukesha Alderman Apologizes for False ICE Alert That Caused Community Alarm

A Waukesha city official has issued a public apology after incorrectly claiming that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were operating in downtown Waukesha, causing unnecessary alarm in the community.

District 15 Alderman Rico Camacho, who took office in April, posted a warning on social media urging residents to “stay alert” and “stay inside” due to what he claimed was an ICE presence near People’s Park. The now-deleted post included photos of men standing on a downtown street corner along with hashtags referencing Waukesha, the local school district, and La Casa de Esperanza, a prominent Hispanic community organization.

The individuals in the photos, however, were not ICE agents but employees of Secure Resources Unlimited (SRU), a Waukesha-based emergency management consulting firm conducting legitimate training exercises in the area.

“When the picture was taken, the guys were standing on the street corner to go to lunch,” explained Brian Dorow, CEO of SRU, who confirmed his team was in the area for executive and dignitary protection training that included escort procedures and asset protection.

The Waukesha Freeman newspaper had prior knowledge of SRU’s planned training activities and, upon seeing Camacho’s post, contacted Dorow who confirmed the men in the photos were his employees. Dorow subsequently reached out to Camacho requesting a public correction and apology.

In a text message to The Freeman, Camacho explained his actions: “I was alerted by one of my constituents that ICE agents were in Waukesha, and therefore I respectfully agreed to highlight their post for them. I was shown no proof or evidence that they were ICE agents, and I was skeptical myself.”

The alderman later posted a formal apology on social media, acknowledging his failure to verify the information before sharing it. “I should have done my due diligence and checked to verify but I overreacted,” Camacho wrote, promising to “take this as a learning opportunity.”

Dorow emphasized that the men in question were not wearing uniforms or masks and had nothing identifying them as ICE agents. He criticized the alderman for not verifying information before sharing it publicly, noting how such misinformation can rapidly spread and unnecessarily alarm communities, particularly those with immigration concerns.

“When someone in a community with a high degree of sensitivity sees that, they are going to start telling other people. It is a false narrative that shouldn’t happen,” Dorow said, though he confirmed he has accepted Camacho’s apology.

SRU’s team includes professionals with extensive security and law enforcement experience. Approximately one-third of the staff are current or former law enforcement officers from various agencies. Dorow himself brings significant credentials, having served as deputy assistant secretary in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, as a former Waukesha Police Department supervisor, and as dean of Criminal Justice, Homeland Security and Counter Terrorism at Waukesha County Technical College.

Waukesha Police Captain Dan Baumann confirmed on Thursday that the department was aware of the social media posts claiming ICE operations were underway in the city.

“At this time, we have no information confirming any such activity, and we urge the public to be cautious about sharing unverified information online,” Baumann stated, warning that false or misleading posts can create unnecessary fear and confusion.

“We strongly encourage residents to rely on official sources,” he added. “The Waukesha Police Department vets and verifies our information for accuracy before it is introduced in the public domain.”

The incident highlights the potential consequences of spreading unverified information on social media, particularly regarding sensitive topics like immigration enforcement that can cause significant anxiety in certain communities. It also underscores the responsibility of elected officials to verify information before sharing it with constituents, especially when public safety concerns are involved.

Alderwoman Alicia Halvensleben, Common Council president and mayoral candidate, declined to comment on the situation, stating only that “this matter is being investigated.”