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To: Milwaukee Elected Officials

Create a special fund for undocummented people

We strongly encourage all of our Milwaukee elected officials to join together to create a “special fund” in support of undocumented children and families in our city who are affected by the coronvirus pandemic.

We are particularly concerned about the children and families in our schools who are currently ineligible to receive assistance from our public agencies because of their civil status. But we must also be concerned with all children and families, regardless of what type of school our children are enrolled in, as well as other undocumented family members who are by extension associated with the well-being of others. In these difficult times, the health of all is paramount. The inhumanity and callousness of federal elected officials, and the to-date failure by our state elected officials to take action to protect and promote the health of undocumented individuals is without precedent —it is as if the undocumented do contribute nothing to the economies of our communities. Therefore, it is our moral duty to take local action.

We must call on the City of Milwaukee, the County of Milwaukee, the state, the Milwaukee Public Schools, private schools, businesses, churches and faith-based organizations, the philanthropic community, the well-to-do, health agencies and institutions, colleges and universities, and the citizenship in general to create a special fund that will provide emergency assistance to all undocumented families, children and other undocumented individuals who have been victimized by the coronavirus.

Federal legislation under consideration will provide cash payments to US Citizens, and expand unemployment compensation and health services. But there will be nothing provided to undocumented individuals —because the insensitivity of these elected officials is anti-immigrant and anti-undocumented, regardless of their valuable contributions to the American economy.

Many major cities have already taken this action on behalf of the undocumented. A good example and guidance on how to distribute aid is offered by the city of Chicago. It is a model that we should pursue immediately.

This special fund is of significant economic benefit to all, and it is the moral thing to do. The special fund can be managed by the city or county of Milwaukee, and arrangements can be made to provide assistance in the same way Chicago is doing. Anyone who has an emergency need for food, health services, rent, utilities, etc. —those things most needed for everyday sustainment—must be eligible.

Every official committee or council created by any of our city, county, health, and educational agencies have an obligation to prioritize such a special fund. To support the undocumented members of our community is everyone’s responsibility.

In particular, it is the obligation of every Latino elected official or candidate for office to assume leadership to mobilize to create this special fund, and to prioritize it above all other matters. There are many looking for the well-being of all of us, but not many who take on the responsibility to look after our vulnerable undocumented population.

Please take the initiative to move this matter, and include me in your efforts.

Sincerely,

Why is this important?

It is the obligation of every Latino elected official or candidate for office to assume leadership to mobilize to create this special fund, and to prioritize it above all other matters. There are many looking for the well-being of all of us, but not many who take on the responsibility to look after our vulnerable undocumented population.
Please take the initiative to move this matter, and include me in your efforts.

Updates

2020-03-28 13:41:11 -0400

100 signatures reached

2020-03-28 12:29:55 -0400

50 signatures reached

2020-03-28 12:04:08 -0400

25 signatures reached

2020-03-28 11:48:21 -0400

10 signatures reached