Possible Milwaukee ICE raids; fear spreads in immigrant communities
MILWAUKEE - Immigration sweeps have begun in other cities like Boston and Chicago, which is having a ripple effect on immigrant communities in Milwaukee.
Community on edge
What we know:
People are not letting their guard down, and it is showing Milwaukee's Latino community after the recent reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids. President Donald Trump said his administration is working with speed and urgency to confront what he describes as a "crisis" at the border.
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The impact can be seen firsthand on the city’s south side. Parking lots that are normally full now have many empty spaces. Many of the street vendors are gone.
What they're saying:
The changes caught Eunice Olmedo by surprise during her visit to El Rey on Cesar Chavez Drive.
"A lot of people [used to be] out here selling and everything, and I don't see nothing. I was surprised when I came by and there's nobody here. Not like it used to be," Olmedo said. "I see nobody, I see no people."
That sentiment is felt as immigration raids have begun sparking a shakeup in immigrant communities.
Angel Arreola said the Latino community is scared, and that there are clear signs of fear and worry.
"I go inside businesses and owners are concerned because of how slow it's been. It's hurting business," Arreola said.
More seeking help
Local perspective:
Forward Latino President Darryl Morin said the nonprofit organization has received an influx of calls from people seeking help.
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"[...] talking about school leadership they're seeing a decline of students actually going to school, because the parents are fearful of being separated from their child," Morin said.
What you can do:
For now, Morin said people need to keep calm, but be cautious about what they see on social media.
"We're asking people to be calm. We are continuously hunting down reports of immigration raids, all over, not just across the state, but across the country."
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