Milwaukee ICE facility plan; mixed-status families concerned
MILWAUKEE - The initial announcement of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – or ICE – facility in Milwaukee sparked fear among mixed-status families.
Ice facility
What they're saying:
Milwaukee leaders on Tuesday announced the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's plan to move an ICE processing facility to the city's north side.
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"Having a facility as close to home, it’s like – just adds more fear to the people," said Desiy Espana, an activist and daughter in a mixed-status family. "I was born here, but it’s scary for my friends who are DACA recipients."
City leaders said ICE plans to keep operations the same as it's current downtown office. Ald. Larresa Taylor said modifications would include things like a sally port and a chain-link fence.
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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has proposed to open an ICE detention facility in Milwaukee, an alderwoman announced Tuesday, Jan. 14.
Born and raised on the south side, Espana has always called Milwaukee home and is a U.S. citizen. Her dad is not.
"My mom became a permanent resident a little over a year ago, and my dad is still undocumented," she said.
Immigration attorney
What you can do:
A local immigration attorney said they've had an uptick in concerned callers. The biggest message legal experts and immigrant activists are trying to get across to undocumented people and mixed-status families is to know their rights.
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"Even among our staff, I think people started to get concerned," said Melissa Soberalski, an immigration law attorney.
While they may not be U.S. citizens, Soberalski said undocumented people still have rights.
Protest outside site of proposed ICE facility in Milwaukee
"Folks don’t know that you have the right to remain silent," she said. "Important to create a plan for your family, talk about the different scenarios. If someone is picked up – who will step in and take care of financial affairs, family affairs?"
"It’s absolutely normal to be scared and to not know what to do, but to also recognize that this is our home. That there are certain things people can do," Espana said.
The Source: The information in this report is from FOX6 News interviews.