New Public Survey Demonstrates Strong Majority Support For Congressional Action On Dreamers

Milwaukee, WI – A new poll released today shows that nearly 60% of Wisconsinites support the rights of children to remain legally in the United States under provisions Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals order. These children, commonly referred to as “Dreamers,” face an uncertain future after Trump rescinded the order last month.

The survey of Wisconsinites conducted last week by Public Policy Polling also found strong opposition to the Trump Administration’s policies when it comes to Latinx residents of the state, including opposition to building a wall between the United States and Mexico.

“Polls across the country have routinely shown that Americans increasingly favor protections for the hard-working immigrants and their children living in and growing our communities and Wisconsin is no different,” said Milwaukee Alderman José Pérez. “It is past time for Congress to act and ensure the bright futures and safety of our friends and neighbors.”

Wisconsinites broadly support the rights of our state’s Latinx communities to live without fear of deportation and splitting up families. On key issues facing the state’s Latinx residents, the poll found:

• 59% support providing a way for immigrants who were brought here by their parents through non-legal channels as children to remain in the United States
• 56% support the rights of mayors and local law enforcement to protect their communities as they see fit without devoting resources to deportation.
• 53% oppose building a wall between the United States and Mexico

Economic impact studies in Wisconsin estimate a loss of more than $427 million annually if there is no Congressional intervention to reinstate provisions of DACA that allow young people to remain legally in the United States. Nearly 8,000 young men and women in our communities throughout the state have been affected by the discriminatory actions of the President. The majority of these Dreamers are high school and college students, and young adults contributing to Wisconsin’s economy in the workplace. They have only known the United States as their home and embody the notion of “living the American dream.”

“We will continue to stand by and fight for Dreamers and their families,” said Rep. JoCasta Zamarripa (D-Milwaukee). “This is more than an economic issue—this is a human rights crisis and this poll shows we in Wisconsin will not sit idly by as Trump attempts to destroy the very fabric of our communities.”

The full poll can be found here: http://bit.ly/2zRmt9P.

Latinx Voice WI is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization working to empower Latinx communities through increased civic participation and public education on issues including good-paying jobs, access to affordable health care, an excellent education for our children, and fair immigration policies which value every resident. Please visit our website at www.latinxvoicewi.org.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.