Protest on Milwaukee’s south side marches against ICE deportations, UW student visas revoked
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – Dozens of people marched in the streets and chanted after recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests in Milwaukee, along with student visa revocations at the Universities of Wisconsin.
On Sunday, April 13, protesters with Voces de La Frontera and the Party for Socialism and Liberation helped organize the march.
“I’m energized and ready to fight with my community,” said Fernanda Jimenez with Voces de La Frontera. “We’ve reacted to everything that’s happening with ICE in our city by protesting today and making sure that we’re letting people in our city and our neighborhoods know that we’re safe because we’re out here defending and protecting our communities.”
Three men arrested by Milwaukee were recently identified. One of the men, 33-year-old Jose Rosas Morales, was arrested by immigration officials on Tuesday, April 8 and was recorded on video obtained by CBS 58. His fiancé said his absence will have a huge impact on their children.
"I wanted to say he was joking, but I tried calling several times, no answer," said Patricia Rane, Morales’ fiancé.
Joshua Taylor with the Party for Socialism and Liberation said Sunday’s protest was held near 33rd Street and W. Scott Street, where Morales was arrested.
“We’re not going to stand by while ICE and Donald Trump’s regime tries to tear families apart,” Taylor said. “Immigrants make our society better, our culture better.”goounty Courthouse.
Protesters also said they took to the streets after the Trump administration revoked visas for international university and college students across the country.
According to recent reporting with CBS 58, 27 students were impacted across the Universities of Wisconsin.
“We all are here to fight together,” Jimenez said.
In response to the arrests in Milwaukee, an ICE spokesperson provided this statement to CBS 58:
"As part of its routine operations, ICE arrests aliens who commit crimes and other individuals who have violated our nation’s immigration laws. All aliens in violation of U.S. immigration law may be subject to arrest, detention and if found removable by final order, removal from the United States, regardless of nationality.
U.S. immigration laws allow aliens to pursue relief from removal; however, once they have exhausted all due process and appeals, the aliens remain subject to a final order of removal from an immigration judge and ICE must carry out that order."