Posted 7.15.26
MILWAUKEE — Community members, immigrant rights advocates, labor organizations, and concerned residents will gather on Monday, July 20 at 5:00 p.m. outside the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District to oppose the potential selection of Jacobs Solutions for MMSD's wastewater operations contract. Advocates are raising concerns about the company's partnership with Palantir.
Jacobs entered into a partnership with Palantir in 2022, focused on data and technology solutions for infrastructure, including water and wastewater systems, according to a recent story by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The story also notes Palantir's role in providing technology used by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in immigration enforcement operations.
“A $700,000,000 contract cannot, and should not go to any corporation that supports ICE,” said iuscely Flores, co-chair of Mutual Aid for Comité Sin Fronteras. “Public infrastructure should not be entrusted to corporations that have relationships with agencies that are actively harming and surveilling our neighbors.”
"Thus far, this decision is being steered by lobbyists and insiders who only care about their bottom line, not the consequences to Milwaukeeans,” said Nick Ramos, executive director of Wisconsin Democracy Campaign. “As ICE terrorizes our city, we need to make our voices and concerns heard. Through its partnership with Palantir, Jacobs has aligned itself with the technology that is powering ICE’s operations. Milwaukee cannot trust Jacobs to serve our community, and that partnership should disqualify the company from receiving public contracts in our city.”
WHO: Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, Comité Sin Fronteras, All in Wisconsin, Milwaukee Turners, Badger Collective, community members, immigrant rights advocates, labor leaders, faith leaders, and local residents.
WHAT: Peaceful rally and press conference opposing Jacobs Solutions' partnership with Palantir and urging MMSD to reject contracts with companies tied to technology used in ICE enforcement.
WHEN: Monday, July 20 at 5:00 p.m.
WHERE: Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) at 260 W. Seeboth Ave., Milwaukee, WI
VISUALS:
Signs and banners calling for accountability
Community speakers
Immigrant rights advocates and labor leaders
Residents urging protection of public infrastructure