Protections for immigrant workers, families sought

Thousands call on Biden to fulfill promise to help

On Sunday, thousands of people, from Racine to Green Bay, marched about two miles from Milwaukee’s south side to downtown to demand that President Biden pass protections for immigrant workers and their families.

Milwaukee is one of 39 cities across the country “standing up and demanding” that Biden do this and fulfill his promise to end 287(g), Christine Neumann-Ortiz, executive director of Voces de la Frontera, said outside the Milwaukee Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, where U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson’s office is located.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement 287(g) Program gives local law enforcement the power to act with federal authority in questioning, reporting and detaining undocumented immigrants.

“287(g) legalizes racial profiling and turns police and sheriffs into immigration,” Neumann-Ortiz said. “They prioritize deportation over public safety. President Biden said he would end it. He has the power to end it. And we’re here to say: End it.”

ICE has 287(g) agreements with law enforcement agencies in eight Wisconsin counties, including Waukesha, Fond du Lac and Sheboygan.

“We fight for a humane, safe and dignified immigration system that is worthy of a nation built by waves of immigrants, refugees and oppressed people who have struggled to make the American dream of equality and liberty a reality,” Neumann-Ortiz said.

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said it’s important to realize that the immigrant story is the story of Milwaukee.

He said he will stand and fight with those who are trying to live a better life, whether they immigrated to the United States or are fleeing from a war-torn place.

“It’s the right thing to do,” he said. “We know that when people immigrate to Milwaukee, they add vibrancy to our neighborhoods. You lift up and support our businesses and help to make our neighborhoods stronger and more stable. That’s what we should be looking to see everywhere across this entire city.”

“We’re all worthy of being treated with dignity regardless of where we came from or who we are,” said Karina Tweedell, a Ukrainian immigrant whose family relocated to Milwaukee in 2014 because of war. “Instead of adjusting to a system that is broken, we need to adjust that broken system.”

‘Days without Latinxs and Immigrants’

On Sunday and Monday, Voces de la Frontera’s statewide members and allies are taking part in “Days Without Latinxs and Immigrants,” a two-day general strike. More than 142 Wiscon

sin businesses closed in solidarity, Neumann-Ortiz said.

Israel Peña, an immigrant worker from Green Bay and a Voces member, has worked in the United States since 2008 for wineries in California, in fields harvesting nuts and fruit, washing cars, in construction and at restaurants. He now works in manufacturing.

“In every one of these jobs, I put forth my best effort and dedication with the goal of being able to provide for my family and contribute to the economy of this great country,” Peña said.

Addressing Biden, governors and other leaders, Peña said: “We deserve” immigration reform and driver’s licenses. “We worked through the pandemic, risking exposure for ourselves and our families.”

Ahead of Sunday’s march, there was a rally at the Voces office, 737 W. Historic Mitchell St., with live music, dance, a free COVID-19 vaccine clinic and speakers. Around noon, attendees began marching downtown.

“I’m a pretty privileged person overall and so I need to use that to help other people fight and be an ally,” said marcher Emma Pucker of Milwaukee. “Getting here, being out, it just rejuvenates me in that fight.”

Milwaukee resident Rebecca Martinez Kemnitz and her almost 17-monthold daughter, Jazmín, met up with the marchers downtown to “support a vital part of our community.”

“The important thing is recognizing people’s humanity and trying to make a better society,” she said.

“Even though we did not win immigration reform, our movement is stronger than ever,” Neumann-Ortiz said. “The majority of people in this country are on our side.”

PHOTOS BY MIKE DE SISTI / MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL People head down South 6th Street during a march for immigration reform in Milwaukee on Sunday. The event included immigrant essential workers and families, as well as allies in the faith, labor, LGBTQ, reproductive justice and social justice communities in support of immigration reform.

People head down East Wisconsin Avenue during the march for immigration reform in Milwaukee on Sunday.

MIKE DE SISTI / MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL A mariachi band plays as banners are held outside U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson’s office at the Federal Courthouse during the march for immigration reform in Milwaukee on Sunday.