Immigrant Workers Make Stop In Waukesha On March To Madison

WAUKESHA, WI—A group of Wisconsin immigrant essential workers — Voces de la Frontera — that is on a nine-day march from Milwaukee to Madison made a stop in Waukesha Tuesday to advocate for immigrant rights.

The group's effort will end in a mass march and rally at the State Capitol in Madison on Monday.

The group wants the Biden administration to add a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and on the state legislature to allow undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses.

They are also putting pressure on Democrats in Congress to include citizenship for 11 million in the infrastructure and jobs bill.

"When we fight for immigration reform, we are fighting for democracy itself. Because that is also what is in danger right now," Christine Neumann-Ortiz, executive director of Voces de la Frontera said at the news conference in Waukesha Tuesday.

Neumann-Ortiz said at the federal level, Democrats are in the position to protect democracy and to deliver on labor rights, immigration reform and voter rights.

"We are with you. We have your back. You have always been essential and will always be essential," Marina Dimitrijevic, a Milwaukee alderwoman, said during the news conference.

Dimitrijevic added they are getting tired of waiting but they are not too tired to keep marching until they get what they want and deserve.

Tom Coyne is president of the Waukesha County Labor Council, and also the representative for the Milwaukee Painters Local Union 781.

"The people deserve the right to not live in fear," Coyne said.

Maria del Pilar, vice president of community engagement for La Casa de Esperanza, shared a message of solidarity with the marchers.

"We understand the struggle that is facing migrant workers and see it everyday with our clients and people in the community. It is all around us," she said.

She said business partners are hurting for factory workers, drivers, food service and many other jobs.

According to a Wisconsin Examiner report, Neumann-Ortiz said in the report, she estimates that approximately 90,000 undocumented workers reside in Wisconsin.

"Businesses are having to close because of our current workforce shortage. Yet we have a huge group of migrant workers who are willing to do just about any job to feed their families," Del Pilar said.

To learn how to help and more information visit the Voces de la Frontera website.